The Importance of Sleep
Farming and ranching can be stressful and tiresome, and that stress can have a multidimensional effect on a person. There are numerous uncontrollable factors, such as unpredictable weather, sickness, unfortunate equipment breakdowns, time limitations, and economic markets that cause stress in the lives of farm families. One stress factor that plays a significant role in a farmer or rancher’s daily routine is not getting enough sleep.
Performance and Safety
Getting enough sleep helps you function well throughout the day. People who are sleep
deficient are less productive at work. They take longer to finish tasks, have a slower
reaction time, and
make more mistakes. After several nights of losing sleep, even a loss of just 1–2
hours per night, your ability to function suffers as if you haven’t slept at all for
a day or two. Some people aren’t aware of the risks of sleep deficiency. In fact,
they may not even realize that they’re sleep deficient. Even with limited or poor-quality
sleep, they may still think that they can function well.
Signs and Symptoms
How sleepy you feel during the day can help you figure out whether you’re having symptoms of “problem sleepiness”. You might be sleep deficient if you often feel like you could doze off while:
- Sitting and reading or watching TV
- Sitting still in a public place, such as a movie theater, meeting, or classroom
- Riding in a car for an hour without stopping
- Sitting and talking to someone
- Sitting quietly after lunch
- Sitting in traffic for a few minutes
Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. Adults need at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to function properly and safely.
This year, make a resolution to get better sleep not just for yourself but to help keep others safe around you while working!
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