Health Briefs Reveals Why Some Workers Get Less Sleep than Others

Who are the sleepiest workers in the office? Are they the ones who stay up late watching a favorite sports team play? Or are they the ones who we think work late into the night? Health Briefs reveals why some workers get less sleep than others.

The answer to the above is neither. Workers who spend their workday in a cubicle, with very little natural daylight get less sleep than others, according to a study by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.  The study found that employees exposed to natural light slept 46 minutes longer than those who were not exposed. Poor sleep can produce short-term memory loss, slower psychomotor reflexes, and diminished attention.  Reduced sleep also affects mood, cognitive performance and can increase the chance of developing illnesses. Lack of sleep also affects work place errors and decreases productivity. Health Briefs TV suggests workers in cubes take breaks outside throughout the day. Get outside when home and enjoy the sun and daylight. Employers and office space designers should take into consideration that exposure to daylight is an environmental cue for the circadian clock, the body’s natural rhythm over a 24-hour period. If an employee is deprived of natural light, it disrupts behavioral patterns such as sleep and activity. And can make them more moody.

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Standing and Walking Spur Creativity – Health Briefs

Recent studies have pointed out that standing during meetings and walking during the day leads to more productivity and creativity than being expected to stay seated. Health Briefs explores how kicking sedentary work practices are better for everyone.

The next time the department needs to get together, remove all the chairs from the conference room and gauge the flow of energy. A new study suggests that standing during meetings benefits work performance where knowledge is the key to productivity. The report found that standing meetings produced more energized team members and ones who were more likely to share ideas. The study researchers were from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, MO and reported their findings in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. Health Briefs also learns that walking is a great way to boost creativity. Walking helps the blood flow more freely moving more oxygen to the brain which then powers up the creative juices.

Creativity and productivity was raised by 60% for those who were allowed to get up and walk during the day as opposed as to those who were expected to stay seated. Even those who walked on a treadmill in a bland setting were found to be just as creative as those who took a 15 walk outside. Medical researchers have been saying for years that walking is an easy way to get moving again. It is now considered a great way to keep our minds active as we age, as well as boost productivity and creativity.

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