Introduction
As Marcus Aurelius once said, “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts, which are influenced by the quality of your sleep.” But how much sleep are we actually getting? Surprisingly, the land of opportunity and high living standards, the United States, falls short when it comes to its citizens catching enough z’s. Let’s delve into why U.S. workers are sleep-deprived and which countries are acing the sleep game.
The Global Picture
Data from Gitnux suggests that employees who get at least 8 hours of sleep experience the lowest loss in productivity. A stunning contrast arises when looking at employees who sleep less than 5 hours, losing nearly 29% in productivity.
Telehealth platform Plushcare took this a step further by analyzing sleep ratios from various countries. European nations dominated the list, with Denmark leading the pack.
The US Scenario
According to a CareerBuilder survey, 44% of American workers lose sleep over work-related stress. A study from Clockify indicates that the average U.S. worker gets merely 6.4 hours of sleep per night while working around 36.4 hours per week. This places the United States at a rather unimpressive 22nd place globally for work-sleep balance.
Top 10 Countries Getting Sleep Right
- Netherlands – 77.05% of residents get 7-9 hours
- Denmark – 76.17%
- Sweden – 75.18%
- New Zealand – 74.63%
- Lithuania – 74.48%
- Finland – 74.45%
- United Kingdom – 74.31%
- Australia – 74.15%
- Estonia – 73.98%
- Belgium – 72.83%
Why Are They Successful?
Work Culture
European countries, in particular, emphasize work-life balance. Reduced work hours and long vacations are not frowned upon but encouraged.
Healthcare and Social Systems
Strong social safety nets in these countries contribute to reduced stress, subsequently improving sleep quality.
Focus on Mental Health
Countries like the Netherlands and Sweden have a strong focus on mental health, which aids in quality sleep.
Conclusion
As we observe sleep trends globally, it becomes increasingly clear that adequate rest is not a luxury but a necessity for productivity and well-being. The U.S. has much to learn from countries that have integrated healthy sleep into their cultures. After all, a well-rested population is a productive one.
For more follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn.
