A sleep deprivation epidemic is spreading through the British workforce according to new research published today. A shocking 28.1 million (97%) British professionals are getting less than the recommended eight hours of sleep every night of the working week. This means employees losing more than one complete night's sleep every seven days - that's the equivalent of two and a half years lost sleep in a working lifetime.
Travelodge's 2007 study of sleep loss in different professions revealed that some of the worst affected workers are police officers, doctors, nurses and tradesmen. However it's company directors who hit the number one spot and prove that lifes not easy at the top. Eight per cent of this profession manage under 4 hours of rest per night - that's a deficit of 28 hours of lost sleep each week and just over 7 years during the course of their career.
Second on the list are paramedics - this profession regularly demands a 15 hour day on just six hours sleep a night.
The top ten most sleep deprived professions are:
1. Company directors (averaging 5.9 hours of sleep a night)
2. Ambulance crew/paramedics (6 hours)
3. Tradesmen (6 hours)
4. Leisure and Hospitality Workers (6 hours)
5. Police Officers (6.1 hours)
6. Factory workers (6.2 hours)
7. Nurses (6.3 hours)
8. Engineers (6.3 hours)
9. Doctors (6.4 hours)
10. Civil servants (6.4 hours)
Wayne Munnelly, Travelodge's Director of Sleep said, "A notable trend has emerged from the top ten list of sleep deprived professions. The majority work ever changing shifts which are notorious for confusing your body clock meaning disrupted sleep. In order to stay healthy and alert when working shifts it's important to be organised - plan time for sleep in advance."
Results also revealed that company directors work the longest hours by far with 16% admitting they regularly work until 2am. These late night workers are closely followed by 43% of journalists who dont turn in until 1am.
However, if you what to arrive at work feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed, then a job in Marketing should be high on your list of desired careers. The study shows that a whopping 86% of marketers say they get plenty of sleep. Although, that might be because 95% of them say they fall asleep on the sofa as soon as they get home from the office.
The top ten professions recommended for a good night's sleep are:
1. Marketing executive (average 8.5 hours of sleep a night)
2. Recruitment consultant (8 hours)
3. Students (7.7 hours)
4. Cabin crew (7.4 hours)
5. Chef (7.2 hours)
6. Secretary/PA (7.1 hours)
7.IT worker (7 hours)
8. Self employed (6.9 hours)
9. Call centre worker (6.8 hours)
10. Accountant (6.8 hours)
Wayne Munnelly concluded, "Regardless of profession, there are some simple steps any of us can take to create the right mood and environment for a better night's sleep."
- Make sure your bedroom is the right temperature -experts recommend 18 degrees
- Have a warm bath before bed to help you relax
- Avoid consuming caffeine after 7pm
- Avoid eating after 7pm
- Make sure the lighting in your bedroom is subtle, spending time in a dimly lit room before you go to sleep can induce sleep
- Write down anything thats worrying you before you go to bed in order to clear your mind
- People who regularly switch work patterns should take the time to plan their sleep.
The hotel chain surveyed more than 5,200 professionals for their 2007 study on sleep deprivation.
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For more information please contact:
Shula Gillam, PR Executive
T: 01844 358703
M: 07863 342 317
E: shula.gillamtravelodge.co.uk
Research conducted by 72point in April 2007 with 5200 UK working adults