This month (March 2023), 29 South African companies are testing out a four-day workweek.
Studies from a global trial conducted in 2022 show that a reduced work week resulted in a
significant decline in sleep problems, like insomnia.
The idea of a four-day workweek has slowly been gaining momentum in the business world.
With companies rating the initial global trial a nine out of 10. Most of the companies that
participated in the trial have committed to continuing with a four-day, or 32-hour, work week.
In a report assessing the 2022 global trial of a four-day week, authored by independent
academic researchers at Boston College, University College Dublin, and Cambridge University,
the most notable outcomes were as follows:
• On average, revenue increased across all companies by 8.1% over the trial period and
increased by 38% compared to the same period in 2021;
• Employee stress and mental health issues decreased by 32% and 38%, respectively;
• On average, employees engaged in 27 minutes of additional physical activity per
week;
• Work and family life balance increased by 60%, while relationships with colleagues
and family members improved by 44.9%; and
• Overall, life satisfaction increased by 57.5%.
Improvements in fatigue were also found, with the average fatigue score falling from 2.63 to
2.26 (on a scale of 1-4, never to daily), down 9.25%. The prevalence of insomnia and general
sleep problems also declined significantly, from 2.35 to 2.03 (again, from 1-4, never to daily),
down 8%.
It makes sense that people who get adequate sleep are able to engage better with colleagues
and achieve a better life-work balance. Below are a few ways that sleep helps us function
better in relationships:
Sleep helps us be more social
We know that loneliness can lead to poor sleep, but did you know the opposite is also true?
Research shows that people who have had a bad night’s sleep want more space between
themselves and strangers. This is because brain circuits associated with social repulsion react
more strongly, while the firing or circuits that help us determine the intention of someone, are
diminished. People who lack sleep are more socially avoidant and maintain greater social
distance. As a result, the participants who slept less, reported feeling lonelier.
Sleep improves our empathy
Having emotional empathy means we can feel what another person is feeling. If a friend feels
sad, the sadness resonates with you on some level, and you want to try to make them feel
happier.
Another research study showed that people who reported good sleep were significantly more
empathic toward people in distress, even if they didn’t know those people. In a work setting, a
good night’s sleep will allow you to read your colleague’s emotions and empathize better.
Sleep helps calm us
A lack of sleep can take your irritability to the next level with aggressive and angry behavior.
Research participants who were split between maintaining or restricting their sleep over two
days were given difficult tasks to execute while in a noisy environment, bound to make them
irritated. Those with less sleep became much angrier during the task and remained disturbed
by the noise. Less sleep can also aggravate risk factors for aggression. Your anger may be
completely out of control, you tend to brood over upsetting events, or you might become
hypervigilant of danger.
Sleeping better helps us have more self-control so we don’t lash out at others.
Sleep helps us be more tolerant of differences
This seems incredible, but a lack of sleep affects the mental processes involved in interacting
with people who are different from us.
The previous points come into play. When you’re well-rested you are more willing to approach
people, be empathetic and feel less prone to anger. These factors have all been tied to less
discrimination in various studies. In addition, we’re less likely to feel rejected when we sleep
better.
Be the best you
Everyone could benefit from being better rested and having well-rested people in their lives.
Sealy knows that you can’t feel your best if you don’t sleep your best. Find out more about
our commitment to sleep and discover your new bed today.
