US/UK Workers Getting Less Sleep During Pandemic, Raising Injury Risk

COVID-19 pressures and the subsequent lockdowns to contain it are causing widespread sleep deprivation and a greater risk of injury, according to new research.

SleepStandards recently conducted a study on the sleep of 1,000 Americans during and after the nation’s lockdown, and found 53 per cent of Americans were getting less sleep after the lockdown and 67 per cent believed their sleep was healthier before lockdown.

With the pandemic continuing despite many lockdown restrictions having been lifted, 68 per cent of Americans are still finding it difficult to sleep.

These interrupted sleep patterns fell into various categories; difficulty falling asleep, stress and anxiety, not getting enough sleep, not having a constant sleep schedule, more frequent nightmares or vivid dreams, sleep disorders, or none of the above.

The dangers of sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation and fatigue can affect anything from a person’s mood and overall health to their likelihood of being in a car accident or workplace accident.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of a workplace accident by 70 per cent. The effects of fatigue are often compared to the effects of alcohol, causing impaired judgement and poor performance.

Other potential dangers associated with fatigue include improper safety enforcement, poor memory and information processing, impaired ability to assess risks, inability to handle stress and reduction in productivity.

Disrupted sleep habits in the wake of COVID-19 are not limited to Americans, with a similar study conducted by King’s College London revealing 63 per cent of the UK public are experiencing poor sleep.

Over 2,000 UK residents aged between 16 and 75 were surveyed, with results revealing two in five people are sleeping fewer hours a night on average, two in five are experiencing more vivid dreams than usual, and a third of people are sleeping for longer but feeling less rested upon waking.

Results also revealed the people most likely to sleep badly were those who said they are likely to face financial difficulties due to COVID-19 disruptions. Those who reported being stressed about COVID-19 were also more likely to sleep badly, with younger people and women more affected by this stress.