Lack of sleep jeopardizes our health, work and relationships. Impatience with and intolerance of others are usually not our characteristics. Let’s make sure it doesn’t come to this!

But in case it does, it is good to know what helps in such situations. Let’s give ourselves a better life, relationships at home and at work.

Lack of sleep – complete lack

Of course you know that lack of sleep is not only a night problem. Its influence is very much evident during the whole day: it affects your physical and mental abilities. Remember that lack of sleep prolongs through the day.

Quality sleep or small tips?

There is no such thing that could replace a quality night sleep. But there are tips to help you stay awake during the day.

Influence of lack of sleep

Lack of sleep or bad quality sleep affects your health, work, relationships and safety.

Health

There is a bigger possibility of depression.

Work

Bigger possibility you will make mistakes at work, have lower concentration, slower reaction time, and lower quality when performing tasks at work.

Relations

You get irritated and impatient quickly.

Safety

Greater risk of accidents at work, in traffic.

Are you sure you are not tired?

Most of us can’t exactly tell the difference between being tired and "oh, I’m just having a bad day". Make sure you have a good sleeping environment – this will ensure a restful night's sleep.

Tips on how to stay awake

If you don’t get enough sleep, the following tips will help you to get through the “sleepy days”:

• Have breakfast. You will need energy that you will get from eating breakfast.
• Avoid sweets. Although a chocolate, cake or a candy will make you feel better, the effect of sugar disappears quickly. You should eat snacks and meals that contain complex carbohydrates and proteins.
• Exercise. Stimulate your body with fast walking (outside or in the office) – you will feel more awake.
• Do different things. Don’t do one thing for a long time.
• “Refresh yourself”. Get a breath of fresh air this will refresh and energize you. Ventilate your office; go for a short walk outside, turn the air-conditioning to a cooler setting (depending on the season).

Sleepy behind wheels

One of the most dangerous moves in your life. Something tragic can happen very fast: you can get killed or kill somebody else.

5 symptoms of driving sleepy – recognize them!

1. yawning frequently.
2. Napping with your head falling.
3. Difficulty concentratiing.
4. Inability to remember where you have been driving for the last few miles.
5. Erratic driving – weaving from lane to lane or driving on the wrong side of the road.

Solutions – what to do

1. Stop and have a nap for a short time. It is the safest for you and others if you drive to a rest stop or someplace else where it is safe for a short time.
2. On longer trips, have a partner with you with whom you can share the driving. If you drive at night, it is wise that both of you stay awake.
3. Get rid of wrong beliefs. Radio is not enough to “keep you awake” when you drive sleepy. In this case find a safe place to have a short nap.

True Story

In the USA, lack of sleep is the reason for as much as 100,000 car accidents.

• A survey on the influence of being sleepy while driving on the number of accidents reveals that more than 50% of Americans say they have driven while feeling sleepy.
• Around a quarter of them have already fallen asleep behind the wheel.

You can imagine the consequences...