A recent study analyzed data from over 1,000 workers over a span of ten years and found that sedentary jobs lead to a 37% increase in insomnia-like symptoms. Additionally, employees with nontraditional work hours face a 66% higher risk of needing ‘catch-up sleep.’
According to a new study led by psychologist Claire Smith from the University of South Florida, individuals in predominantly sedentary occupations—approximately 80% of today’s workforce—are at a considerably higher risk for insomnia symptoms.
The results, which have just been published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, reveal that in a decade-long survey of over 1,000 workers, both sedentary job roles and irregular work hours pose significant threats to sleep quality.
These two elements, exacerbated by advancements in technology that increase computer usage, correlate with a 37% rise in insomnia symptoms among sedentary employees and a 66% greater likelihood of requiring “catch-up sleep”—characterized by frequent napping or sleeping longer on weekends—for those with nonstandard work hours.
Smith stated, “The way we structure work presents serious, long-term risks to healthy sleep. Healthy sleep entails more than just obtaining eight hours. It also involves falling asleep easily, having uninterrupted sleep, and maintaining a regular sleep routine. Firms should understand the specific sleep hazards their employees face to enhance awareness and intervention.”
Based on data from the national Midlife in the United States study, the research recognized three categories of sleep health among workers over a ten-year timeframe: good sleepers, catch-up sleepers, and insomnia-like sleepers.
It was found that sedentary jobs are strongly associated with the insomnia sleeper category, which includes symptoms like trouble falling asleep, disrupted sleep, and persistent daytime fatigue. On the other hand, employees with nontraditional work hours—such as night shifts—were more prone to belong to the catch-up sleeper category.
Smith noted that the findings imply that incorporating physical activity during the workday and minimizing work outside of standard hours may not only enhance sleep that night but also prevent chronic sleeping issues in the future.
The study also indicates that individuals trapped in poor sleep cycles due to their job setup, like extended hours of inactivity or unpredictable schedules, may remain in these unhealthy patterns for extended periods. For instance, 90% of insomnia-like sleepers continued to experience their symptoms a decade later.
Smith stressed that this is especially crucial for both employers and employees, as poor sleep health has well-documented effects on productivity, well-being, and overall health. She led the project in collaboration with a diverse team of specialists in psychology, psychiatry, aging, and medicine.
Furthermore, she emphasized that rethinking job designs with a focus on sleep health might be vital for enhancing worker wellness and highlighted the necessity for workplace interventions that view sleep health as a complex, evolving challenge rather than a straightforward solution.
The study received support from grants issued by the National Institute on Aging and involved researchers from Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Arizona State University, and St. Anne’s University (Czech Republic).
