1800mattress.com Survey Finds Americans Sleeping On The Job

Furniture World Magazine

According to a 1800mattress.com survey of 5,000 callers nationally during the last half of May, 38-percent of employees have fallen asleep on the job. Sleep deprivation currently cost U.S. businesses nearly $150 billion annually in absenteeism and lost productivity, according to a recent New York Times Magazine article. Companies are being encouraged to create a workplace napping policy, according to a recent CNN.com article. 1800mattress.com is providing the solution by inviting employees to celebrate “Recess at Work Day,” June 19, by taking a nap at one of the company’s 46 retail locations nationally. “I have a system where if I need a catnap, I put the phone on ‘Do Not Disturb,’ set the alarm on my cell phone and sneak off to my car for 20 minutes,” said one caller from Passaic, N.J. “I have had the misfortune of falling asleep and letting out a big snore during a staff meeting. Nobody will let me forget that,” said another caller from Queens, N.Y. “Over the years, our customers have been telling us in rapidly increasing numbers that they regularly steal some time for sleep on the job. Sleep is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and we are sure that employees who take us up on our offer will return to work happier and more productive,” said John O’Connell, executive vice president of sales and merchandising. “In today’s world, sleep seems to be the first thing people shorten when they need time for other activities. It’s important to note that quality of sleep is more important than quantity. This will be clear to those who have a nap on us during ‘Recess at Work Day.’” EMPLOYEES NEED NAP Here are five tips from 1800mattress.com consultants on how to improve “Sleep Quality” without changing “Sleep Quantity:” Sleep Schedule: Try your best to stay on a regular pattern of going to sleep and getting up to within a one-hour window for consistency. Wind Down Routine: Establish a regular routine to follow before sleep to help train the body to wind down and to prepare for sleep. Avoid bringing laptops, blackberries, etc., into the bedroom to limit distractions. Sleep Temperature: Try to have your bedroom between 65-70 degrees as cooler environments are more conducive to prolonged sleep and can minimize sleep disturbances through the night. Limit Distraction: If you must watch TV, have it on a sleep timer. Try and keep the room as dark and quiet as possible. Turn alarm clocks so you can’t see their glow as the urge to check the time can add to stress and disturb rest. Inspect your mattress: If it squeaks, you wake up with back pain, toss and turn at night, sleep better away from home, etc., it’s probably time for a new mattress. The item most depended on to provide restorative sleep could be the biggest reason you are not getting it. Mattresses should be replaced every 5-7 years. Founded in 1976, 1800mattress.com is the leading national, multi-channel (internet, chat, call center and showrooms) retailer of mattresses, box springs and bedding products. Its award-winning customer service is well chronicled in thousands of media articles and books.