Combatting Holiday Insomnia: Guide for Working Professionals

Family gatherings, celebrations, and gift shopping are some of the occasions we look forward to during the holiday season. However, these festivities can be accompanied by stressful experiences such as exhausting travel, delayed flights, last-minute shopping, and late nights at work.

For many working professionals, the pressure to meet year-end deadlines and prepare for the upcoming year can lead to sleeplessness, hindering their ability to enjoy the holiday season entirely. This phenomenon, holiday insomnia, mainly affects working professionals.

Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep easily, stay asleep throughout the night, or wake up feeling rested. Sleep Solutions says it affects roughly 30% of the population yearly and is generally most common in adults.
A variety of factors can cause insomnia during the holidays, including:

Increased workload: End-of-year deadlines, project closures, and performance reviews can add to work-related stress.
Irregular work schedules: Extended work hours, shift work, or on-call duties can disrupt sleep patterns.
Travel disruptions: Frequent business and holiday travel can lead to jet lag and disrupted sleep.
Irregular social obligations: More social events, company parties, and family gatherings can lead to irregular sleep schedules.
Dietary changes: Indulging in rich foods and excessive alcohol consumption during holiday celebrations can negatively affect sleep quality.

“Though most people associate the holiday with happy times and having fun, even positive events can be very stressful,” said Nicole Moshfegh, a psychologist expert in cognitive behavioral therapies at UCLA.
Overall, these factors contribute to holiday stress and anxiety that disrupt sleep patterns as the mind races with thoughts, particularly during quiet moments in the bedroom.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Working Professionals

Sleep deprivation can significantly impact the performance and well-being of working professionals. It can lead to:

Decreased Productivity: Reduced focus, attention span, and problem-solving abilities.
Increased Errors and Accidents: Impaired cognitive function and slower reaction times.
Poor Decision-Making: Reduced ability to think critically and make sound judgments.
Elevated Stress Levels: Sleep deprivation can exacerbate stress, leading to anxiety, irritability, and burnout.

TouchPoints to Help Combat Holiday Insomnia

A recent scientific study conducted by TouchPoints’ Scientific Board found that when TouchPoints are used before bed, they both helped the subject fall asleep within 15 minutes and wake up 80% less in the middle of the night.
This study demonstrated the effectiveness of TouchPoints in improving sleep quality:

Faster Sleep Onset: Participants using TouchPoints fell asleep within 15 minutes.
Reduced Wakefulness: Users experienced an 80% reduction in nighttime awakenings.

TouchPoints are valuable tools for working professionals to manage stress and improve sleep quality. By gently stimulating specific nerve pathways with the patented BLAST (Bilateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile), TouchPoints can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and regulate the circadian rhythm, ultimately leading to a more restful night’s sleep.

Other Strategies for Supporting Employees with Holiday Insomnia

Flexible work arrangements: Offer flexible work hours and remote work options to accommodate employees’ varying needs and promote work-life balance.
Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits: Promote healthy sleep habits through workshops, webinars, and educational materials.
Create a relaxing workplace environment: Implement strategies to reduce noise, improve lighting, and create a calming atmosphere.
Provide access to wellness programs: Offer employee wellness programs that include stress management techniques, mindfulness exercises, and sleep hygiene tips.
Consider offering TouchPoints as a workplace perk: Provide TouchPoints to employees as a valuable tool for improving their sleep quality and overall well-being.
Encourage them to seek professional help: If they’re struggling with severe insomnia or other sleep disorders, encourage them to consult with a healthcare professional so they can be provided with personalized advice and treatment options.

Prioritize employee well-being and implement effective sleep strategies to help them address holiday insomnia. Overall, this can create a more productive, engaged, and satisfied workforce and a successful business.