What Impact Does a Lack of Sleep Have?
Watch the video to explore the impacts that a lack of sleep can have on your physical and mental wellbeing.
Watch the video to explore the impacts that a lack of sleep can have on your physical and mental wellbeing . . .
Poor sleep can have a significant impact on teachers and other school staff. The physical and mental consequences of poor sleep can negatively affect an individual's ability to perform their job effectively. Tiredness alone can heighten irritability, lower patience, and slow thinking. Studies show that education staff often experience symptoms of poor mental health due to work-related stress, and lack of sleep can exacerbate these symptoms. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by a Uk teaching union, 84% of teachers and headteachers reported being too tired to enjoy the things they'd like to do after work.
Poor sleep can also have a negative effect on an individual's home and social life. It is not difficult to imagine how lack of sleep can impact one's ability to maintain relationships and interests outside of work. The same survey found that just 23% of teachers and headteachers felt they were able to switch off from their work and relax at home. This lack of ability to relax and unwind can lead to further stress and tension, which can negatively impact an individual's mental health.
Lack of quality sleep can drastically affect an individual's mood, and long-term insomnia, which lasts three months or longer, is linked to higher risks of depression. The relationship between sleep and mental health is bidirectional, meaning that poor sleep can contribute to the development of mental health problems, and mental health problems can also cause sleep disturbances. Stress triggers a surge in cortisol within the body, which makes falling asleep difficult because it inhibits melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. Not being able to sleep exacerbates stress, creating a dangerous cycle that can be difficult to break.
The amount of stress that school staff are under, combined with data showing that insomnia is becoming more prevalent, creates a worrying scenario. It is essential for teachers and other school staff to prioritise their sleep and adopt healthy sleep habits to reduce the risk of developing sleep disturbances and associated mental health problems. Employers can also support their staff by providing education on sleep hygiene and ensuring that workloads and expectations are reasonable and manageable. By taking steps to improve sleep, teachers and other school staff can improve their overall health and wellbeing, and perform their job more effectively.
Watch the video to explore the impacts that a lack of sleep can have on your physical and mental wellbeing.
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