A report recently published by the globally renowned University College London has received the huge impact a lack of sleep has on both ourselves and the economy. We are all recommended to get at least seven hours sleep per night but there can be many reasons why we might not all be able to achieve this. Some of these include our work patterns, having too many worries in life or just having a stressful lifestyle and having certain medical conditions which cause us to develop Insomnia.
The findings in the report which was lead by Dr Gillian Weston look at the number of reasons why we might not be all getting a good nights sleep and then translate them to see what kind of effect these in turn have on the wider economy. One of the main discoveries were that productivity losses are estimated to cost the economy around £40 billion a year. This is mainly due to people being too tired to do the amount of work they normally do or developing certain health conditions which may be due to stress and is promoted by a lack of sleep.
Almost half the country’s population is getting less then the recommended daily amount of sleep which has a huge effect on many sectors of the economy. These all build up and cause the system as a whole to weaken and for output to dramatically drop. Sleep deprivation is proving detrimental to the health of both the people and the economy. Productivity and employee well-being underpin thriving business, but the recent report suggests that this cornerstone of economic growth is being compromised as a result of millions of individuals suffering from insufficient sleep.
In addition to this people can develop many health conditions which can have an impact on their whole body as well as their mind and way of thinking. These can include chronic diseases such as diabetes, and work-related injuries – poor sleep can also lead to reduced concentration levels, impaired decision-making, and a general decline in cognitive abilities.
The recently confirmed recession and last week’s Spring budget reinforce the importance of a strong economy and the need for a productive workforce. As Jeremy Hunt places high importance on global growth, better sleep could be a vital catalyst for nurturing economic development.
£40 billion in productivity lost to sleep is cause for concern not only to business owners, but also to the public. Between October and December 2023, the economy shrank by 0.3% – generally indicating that people are earning less, spending less, and that the nation isn’t progressing financially.
The strength of the country’s economy can force many employers to make their work force operate at maximum capacity to try and make up some of the short fall. This can in turn lead to more stress and add to the lack of sleep that people are experiences during a normal day.
If we all managed to get a better night’s sleep, we could managed to strengthen the economy much more quickly then we would have done which proves the benefit of regularly getting a good, solid amount of rest with no interruptions.
As the country looks to tackle the concerning statistics and boost economic growth, research indicates that better nutrition could be the key to improved sleep outcomes. Studies suggest that the superfood Ashwagandha can help to improve overall sleep quality, by reducing feelings of stress and anxiety; while Tart Cherry can increase levels of Melatonin, a sleep hormone which is critical in regulating an individual’s sleep-wake cycles, bringing on sleep faster and for longer. When it comes to increasing REM sleep – crucial for memory and learning – studies suggest that 5-HTP can be effective by helping to promote healthy sleep patterns.
Melissa Snover, CEO and Founder of Nourished, and registered nutritionist, comments:
“Sleep is a key pillar of both physical and mental health, and the consequences of poor sleep extend beyond just individual well-being, as evidenced by the UCL study. Proper nutrition, involving high impact nutrients, vitamins, and superfoods, can play a vital role in mitigating the adverse effects of poor sleep – especially when we take the time to understand our bodies and make informed, personalised decisions.
“Targeted supplementation can address nutritional deficiencies that may hinder the body’s natural ability to promote restfulness, highlighting the importance of key nutrients such as Ashwagandha, 5-HTP and Tart Cherry, and how essential they can be to achieving restorative and quality sleep. As we prioritise quality sleep and nutritional well-being, we pave the way for a more resilient and thriving economy.”
