To get a good night’s sleep, you need time to unwind or you could end up struggling with combatting the stress of daily life.
Research published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Occupational Health noted that after a long day of work, you should perform an activity that brings you release from the day’s work.
The research suggests it’s crucial that you remove yourself from your work in order to experience a deep sleep.
Researchers asked 699 employees of the US Forest Service about their employment environment, thoughts about their job, their amount of spare time, and if they experienced any insomnia.
The employees were also asked how many children they had under the age of 18, how many hours they worked a week, and their alcohol consumption.
The researchers found that employees who experienced greater negative thoughts regarding their occupation had greater difficulties falling asleep at night. Even when they did manage to fall asleep, they experienced more sleep interruptions throughout the night.
Those employees who performed their own actions after work were more successful at falling asleep.
Lead researcher Dr. Caitlin Demsky explained, “It does so in part by making people repeatedly think about their negative work experiences. Those who can take mental breaks from this fare better and do not lose as much sleep as those who are less capable of letting go.”
Activities can include exercising, learning a new skill, or meeting up with friends.
Sleep is an integral part of health and performing one’s job. If you’re tired at work, you can’t perform your job as well as when you’re refreshed, which could contribute to worse feelings toward your work.
Dr. Demsky concluded, “In our fast-paced, competitive professional world, it is more important than ever that workers are in the best condition to succeed, and getting a good night’s sleep is key to that.”
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