The pandemic has changed our sleeping habits. Now that we don’t have to travel much anymore, we are going back to our natural sleep rhythm. The Optimist explains why we should stick to this habit.
The pandemic has changed their morning routine for many people. Now that working from home is the norm, we can stay in bed longer. According to a study by the University of Colorado Boulder, we make great use of this. Since the corona crisis, students have been sleeping half an hour longer on weekdays and got out of bed almost an hour later.
Natural sleep rhythm
While a workday usually lasts from 9am to 5pm, that doesn’t mean it’s best for everyone. On the contrary, the natural sleep rhythm differs from person to person and depends on genetics, hormones and external factors such as light and sound. When we deviate from our natural rhythm, this increases the risk of fatigue and inattention. This reduces the quality of the work. The risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes also increases.
Better performances
Flexible work schedules improve productivity and health. For example, it appears that secondary school students perform better when schools start later. By having the opportunity to sleep more, the students get better grades and are more mentally present. The pressure to get up early is therefore social rather than biological. When we follow our own sleep rhythm, we become both more productive and healthier. Therefore, stick to this new sleeping habit. Even if we do travel to work again.
