Sleep, Stress, and Success
Why Businesses Should Care
A recent Gallup poll indicates that people are getting less sleep, potentially leading to increased stress levels.
A substantial number of people are sleeping fewer than five hours per night according to the survey, which can contribute to, and result from stress among employees.
For businesses, a lack of sleep potentially impacts productivity.
See the latest Gallup results here.
57% of Americans say they would benefit from getting more sleep.
People Are Getting Less Sleep
A recent Gallup poll highlighted a concerning trend: People are getting less sleep, and it may be causing stress issues.
Why should businesses care about their employees’ sleep habits?
The answer lies in the crucial link between rest, stress, and productivity.
A significant portion of Americans reported that they would benefit from more sleep. A fifth of Americans report sleeping fewer than five hours a night. The Gallup poll found that 57% of surveyed Americans say they would benefit from getting more sleep. Stress levels are up.
This lack of sleep can both be caused by, and create stress in employees. These results document a big change since the last time this survey was done a decade ago.
Stress and Sleep
In the realm of health and wellness, it’s no secret that stress and sleep are closely linked. According to the American Psychological Association, the connection between the two is a two-way street: less sleep often means more stress, and vice versa. The latest survey highlights this, with 63% of folks craving more shut-eye admitting to feeling stressed out frequently, compared to just 31% of those getting enough sleep.
Gallup reports that stress levels have been steadily climbing over the past three decades, following a brief dip in 2003. Recent statistics show that nearly half of Americans, a whopping 49%, report feeling stressed out regularly. That’s a huge jump in stress levels over the last twenty years, marking the highest point in Gallup’s records so far.
The truth is, well-rested employees are happier, healthier, and more productive. When we’re sleep-deprived, our cognitive abilities suffer, making it harder to concentrate, problem-solve, and make decisions. This lack of focus can lead to decreased productivity and costly mistakes in the workplace.
What Can HR Professionals and Managers Do?
So, what can businesses do to promote better sleep habits among their employees?
It starts with fostering a culture of work-life balance and prioritizing employee wellness. Encouraging employees to unplug after work hours, providing flexible work schedules, and offering wellness programs can all contribute to better sleep habits and reduced stress levels.
Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and productive employees.
Incentivize your team to participate in stress-reducing activities.
Encourage activities (e.g. Great Outdoors Month) that allow for calm interaction between colleagues; online and offline.
Endeavor to make our workplaces stress-appropriate.
While it is difficult to fully remove deadline pressures and other workday pressures. it is possible to schedule periods that are calmer and potentially more relaxing.
The benefits of improving employee stress management:
- Improved productivity: Reduced stress levels lead to increased focus, better decision-making, and enhanced problem-solving abilities, resulting in higher productivity and better work quality.
- Enhanced employee engagement: When employees feel less stressed, they are more engaged, committed, and satisfied with their jobs, which contributes to a positive work environment and a stronger company culture.
- Reduced absenteeism and turnover: High stress levels lead to physical and mental health issues, resulting in increased absenteeism. By promoting stress reduction, employers decrease the number of sick days taken by employees and reduce the risk of losing valuable employees due to burnout.
- Lower healthcare costs: Chronic stress has been linked to health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Employers can potentially decrease healthcare costs associated with stress-related illnesses by encouraging stress reduction.
- Improved workplace relationships: A less stressful work environment fosters better communication, collaboration, and teamwork among employees, leading to more harmonious and productive workplace relationships.
- Positive company image: Employers prioritizing employee well-being and reducing stress are more likely to be considered responsible and caring organizations. This positive image can attract top talent and enhance the company’s reputation among clients, customers, and industry peers.
- Enhanced creativity and innovation: Employees who feel less stressed are likelier to think creatively, develop new ideas, and find innovative solutions to problems, driving the company’s growth and success.
- Increased employee resilience: By promoting stress management techniques, employers can help their employees build resilience, enabling them to better cope with challenges and adapt to change, which is crucial in today’s fast-paced business environment.
- Better work-life balance: Encouraging stress reduction can lead to a healthier work-life balance for employees, contributing to their overall well-being and satisfaction, both in and out of the workplace.
- Legal and ethical responsibility: Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to provide a safe and healthy work environment, which includes addressing and minimizing workplace stress.
Schedule a Design Session
Design your first project – Send samples – Save and add to your account later.
No sign-up, Invite guests to join, No obligation!
Spend time designing a brilliant sample project you can share with your colleagues.
Demo Rules:
- No “canned demo” — This is YOUR time. Let’s design a sample project you can share with your team.
- No obligation — It’s just a demo! We want to make sure there is a fit just as much as you do!
- No credit card — If you want to sign up, TruCentive is free to try — no credit card is required to send samples.
- No minimum — Add a few dollars or a few thousand.
- No setup fee — We’ll spend time with you to design a stunning delivery that makes you and your organization look good.
Great Ways to Help Employees with Stress Management
Wellness and self-care activities
In today’s fast-paced work environment, businesses increasingly recognize the importance of employee well-being and stress management. One innovative approach to promoting relaxation and stress relief is by providing employees with gift cards for wellness or self-care activities, such as spa treatments, massages, or yoga classes. This not only demonstrates a company’s commitment to the mental and physical well-being of its workforce but also helps to create a positive work culture where employees feel valued and appreciated.
By investing in employee wellness for self-care activities, businesses can reap benefits, including increased productivity, improved employee morale, and reduced absenteeism. When employees have access to services and experiences that help them unwind and recharge, they are better equipped to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. As a result, they can approach their work with renewed energy, focus, and creativity, ultimately contributing to the company’s overall success. Providing such perks sends a strong message to employees that their well-being matters, fostering loyalty and helping to attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market.
Set up a stress buster activity
In an increasingly competitive business landscape, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork among employees is essential for boosting morale and enhancing overall workplace satisfaction. Providing gift cards for group activities such as happy hour, lunch at a local restaurant, virtual lunch, cooking classes, game nights, or trivia events can be a powerful way for businesses to promote stress relief and strengthen team bonds. These social activities allow employees to step away from their daily work routines, engage in lighthearted fun, and connect with their colleagues on a personal level, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
The benefits of stress-busting group activities extend beyond just employee satisfaction. Participating in shared experiences can lead to improved communication, increased collaboration, and a better understanding of one another’s strengths and weaknesses, all of which contribute to a more effective and cohesive team. Moreover, these activities provide a much-needed break from the daily grind, helping employees to recharge and return to work with renewed focus and motivation. By investing in group activities that promote relaxation and team-building, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being, ultimately leading to higher levels of engagement, retention, and productivity in the workplace.
Breakfast relaxation
In the modern workplace, finding creative ways to foster a sense of community and collaboration among employees is vital for a company’s success. Providing gift cards for breakfast group activities presents an opportunity for businesses to promote team bonding and show appreciation for their staff in a relaxed, informal setting for stress awareness month. Sharing a meal together allows employees to connect personally, engage in meaningful conversations, and develop strong relationships that can positively impact the work environment. Moreover, starting the day with a group breakfast can energize employees and set a positive tone for the rest of the workday.
Organizing breakfast group activities not only contributes to a healthy company culture but also brings tangible benefits to the business. These gatherings facilitate open communication and create an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and discussing challenges, ultimately promoting innovation and problem-solving within the team. Consider providing gift cards once a week for breakfast group activities. Businesses demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and cultivate a workplace prioritizing connection, collaboration, and a sense of belonging.
Reading reduces stress
Providing employees with gift cards to local bookstores or online retailers and inspiring them to read and unwind during their downtime is another great way to encourage relaxation and stress reduction. Reading not only offers an escape from the stresses of everyday life but also stimulates the mind, broadens perspectives, and fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, all of which can contribute to personal and professional growth.
By offering incentives for reading materials, businesses demonstrate their commitment to nurturing a well-rounded and mentally healthy workforce. Reading can help employees disengage from work-related stress and return to their tasks with a refreshed and focused mindset, ultimately boosting productivity and job satisfaction. Moreover, encouraging a culture of learning and personal development within the company can lead to increased creativity, improved problem-solving abilities, and enhanced employee communication skills. In providing these incentives, businesses foster a work environment that values continuous growth, mental well-being, and a healthy work-life balance, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of both the employees and the organization.
Invest in employee comfort
A comfortable, well-designed work environment promotes employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction. By providing gift cards and merchandise options for ergonomic office supplies or desk accessories, businesses can actively support their employees in creating personalized and stress-free workspaces. Ergonomic office options, such as adjustable chairs, standing desks, or wrist rests, can significantly enhance comfort and reduce the risk of work-related injuries or strain. Desk accessories, such as organizers, plants, or desk lamps, can help employees create an inviting, functional space that fosters focus and efficiency.
Investing in an employee’s work environment not only shows a company’s commitment to employee health and well-being but can also lead to tangible benefits for the organization. When employees have access to the tools and resources they need to work comfortably, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and satisfied in their roles. Furthermore, prioritizing ergonomics can result in reduced absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and a decrease in employee turnover. By offering options that enable employees to enhance their work environment, businesses demonstrate their dedication to fostering a supportive and healthy workplace, ultimately contributing to the success and longevity of the organization.
Ready to design something brilliant?
Schedule a free design session
Our design sessions are the perfect way to show you how TruCentive can help you realize your rewards, gifts, or payout goals in a real-world scenario, building a complete project with everything from your logo, design options, and messaging to incentive selection, deliveries, and reminders.
When we’re done, you’ll:
- Possess a solid grasp of constructing your project.
- Have a comprehensive understanding of best practices for incentive delivery.
- Learn the secrets of the incentives industry and the savings and advantages of utilizing TruCentive for your next program.
If you’re ready to start designing on your own, sign up and start sending samples. There’s no credit card required to start exploring your creative side!
Create “Grade-A” content
Use powerful features to quickly create professional-looking incentive deliveries
At your service
With a TruCentive subscription, you get technical support for all your team members so you can get back to your project fast
Reimagine your productivity
Eliminate the time and frustration managing the procurement, delivery, and management of your rewards and incentives deliveries
