^We recently conducted a survey of the young to middle-aged urban population and found alarming rates of sleep deprivation. Only a quarter of the respondents were getting 8 hours of sleep, and the majority of them indicated waking up tired and needing more rest. 

Besides being essential to life and survival, sleeping affects our mind body soul. Counting sheep is not as simple as closing your eyes and closing your eyes.

Neuroscientists define sleep as a state of active unconsciousness, in which the brain is in a state of relative rest and is reacting primarily to internal stimuli. Simply put, it is a state where the body slows down in almost all departments, none more so than the brain.

Why do we sleep?

It may sound strange, but we still don't know exactly why humans and other animals sleep. A variety of theories are being proposed in current research, including the Inactivity theory, the Restoration theory, the Energy conservation theory, and the Brain plasticity theory. 

It has been found that muscles repair themselves, tissues grow, proteins are synthesised, and growth hormones are released predominantly during sleep. The body has decreased metabolism by up to 10% during sleep. During sleep, the brain's structure and function are reorganised and grown.

Stages of sleep

There are essentially four stages of sleep – 3 stages of Non-Rapid Eye Movement, Sleep, and Rapid Eye Movement. These stages typically occur in 90 to 120-minute cycles. The body ideally needs 3 to 4 such cycles for restful rebuilding.

How much Should we sleep?

Now, this is a tricky question. The importance of sleep in infants' and children's brain development explains why infants need to sleep upwards of 14 hours a day. Geriatric patients can swing from managing with 5 to 6 hours a day or needing nearly 12 hours of sleep as age advances.

A minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sleep is recommended for adults in order to maintain excellent emotional wellness. This includes a majority of it as interrupted night sleep with an optional power nap during the day; and no more than 9 to 10 hours of sleep.

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." - Benjamin Franklin

Problems associated with sleep deprivation

What we do know for sure is that chronic sleep deprivation has tremendous effects on mood, productivity, immunity, and metabolism. 

In addition to an increase in the frequency and severity of infections, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a number of other health problems, including depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as reduced fertility rates and mental disorders.

What is insomnia?

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep accompanied by daytime impairments related to those sleep troubles.=

It can be of two types - chronic insomnia disorder and short-term insomnia.

Insomnia, whether short-term or chronic, has certain symptoms in common. There are different types of sleep issues associated with those symptoms, including those related to nighttime sleep when a person experiences at least one of those types of sleep issues:

• Sleeping problems
• Not able to lead happy healthy life.
• Not being able to stay asleep through the night
• Getting up too early in the morning
• Teenagers and children who resist sleeping at bedtime
• Children and teens who have difficulty sleeping on their own (without the assistance of a caregiver)

There are also several daytime symptoms related to sleeping problems that must be present as well:

• Tiredness
• Memory or attention problems
• Working, studying, or socially performing poorly
• Mood disturbances or irritability
• Feeling sleepy
• Hyperactivity or aggression are examples of behavioural issues
• Motivation has decreased
• Accidents or mistakes occurring more frequently
• Sleep concerns or dissatisfaction

For chronic insomnia to occur, symptoms must be present three times per week for a minimum of three months. Short-term insomnia is characterised by less frequent episodes and less than three months of symptoms.

Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is not explicitly defined in the diagnostic criteria for insomnia. Adults may suffer from insomnia if they take longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep or are awake during the night for more than 30 minutes (20 minutes for children).

Causes

Recognising why you are not sleeping well is essential to treating the problem.

• Lack of opportunity to sleep or a disruptive sleep environment. Poor socioeconomic status, cramped living, small children, or dependents needing care.
• Medical disorders like Prostatomegaly or Diabetes causing frequent urination, OSA or sleep apnea, aches and pains, acid reflux disorder, thyroid disorder, etc
• Sleep procrastination syndrome - it's the only me time and free time you get. So you keep scrolling mindlessly through social media sites and videos and articles.
• Screen time: Most of our survey participants were on a screen minutes before sleep. Melatonin, an important sleep hormone, is regulated by the brightness of light falling on your retina. Gadget screens thus keep pushing the brain into an active state.
• Anxiety - generalised, work-related, social, emotional. We all live in overloaded, busy, and stressful times.
• Just not enough time due to work and travel.

All of us will be sleepless on some occasions or through certain phases of life. Recognise the issue and embark on a holistic approach toward solving it. Disciplined screen time, a more natural unwinding schedule, fixed waking hours, appropriate meals and meal times, and adequate exercise are some of the first steps we must take. 

Diagnosing and treating underlying medical disorders with a physician's help comes next. Then, if need be, some pharmacological support. Emotional, social, financial, and even generalised anxiety shouldn’t be ignored. 

An overwhelming majority of our respondents (primarily 25-40-year-olds) stated work and work-related anxieties as major obstacles to adequate sleep. Emotional anxieties were a close second. Therefore, workplace wellness programs are more than necessary to help employees. 

If only a fourth of our young, upwardly dynamic population are waking up naturally and feeling fresh, there is definitely something afoot that doesn’t augur well for the future. So pull up your eye masks and switch off the lights! Enough of hand sanitisers. It's time for some sleep hygiene.

Good luck and Good night!

^In today's rapidly changing business landscape, employee engagement is more critical than ever. A disengaged workforce can lead to low productivity, high turnover, and financial losses. On the other hand, companies with engaged employees enjoy unparalleled success – outperforming the competition, generating more revenue, and creating a positive work environment where everyone thrives.

Power8, a leading corporate wellness company, understands the intrinsic link between employee well-being and overall organizational success.  With our new initiative, Power8 Ignite, we're taking employee engagement to the next level.

What is Power8 Ignite?

Power8 Ignite is a comprehensive approach to employee engagement, designed to transform workplaces and ignite a deep  connection between employees and their work. It goes beyond surface-level activities, focusing on what truly matters to employees: feeling valued, appreciated, and inspired to contribute their best.

Why Employee Engagement Matters: The Indian Landscape

Employee engagement in India is a complex and evolving issue. While engagement levels are improving, there is still significant room for growth. A recent study found that only 22% of Indian employees are fully engaged, leaving a vast majority of the workforce operating below peak potential.  This disconnect costs businesses an estimated ₹450-500 billion annually in lost productivity and missed opportunities.

However, the outlook isn't entirely bleak. Organizations that prioritize employee engagement consistently outperform those that don't.  According to global research, highly engaged teams demonstrate:

• 21% increase in profitability
• 20-25% boost in productivity
• 41% decrease in absenteeism
• 50% higher performance against targets

Clearly, the investment in employee engagement is a worthwhile one.  That's where Power8 Ignite comes in.

The Power8 Ignite Approach

Our approach to engagement is multifaceted and personalized to meet the unique needs of each organization.  Here's what sets Power8 Ignite apart:

• Strategic Planning: We work with you to design custom engagement initiatives that align with your company culture and goals. No cookie-cutter solutions here!
• Engaging Content: From expert-led workshops to inspiring talks, we provide content that connects with your employees and sparks their enthusiasm.
• Seamless Execution: Let us take care of the logistics so you can focus on building relationships with your team.
• Creative Storytelling: We craft compelling narratives that showcase your company's commitment to employee well-being.
• Thoughtful Appreciation: We provide unique and personalized ways to express gratitude and make employees feel valued.

Power8 Ignite in Action: Programs and Services

Ignite offers a diverse range of programs and activities that can seamlessly integrate into your workplace, whether it's virtual or in-person. Here's a sample of our offerings:

Power8 Ignite is designed to ignite engagement in ways that resonate. Whether you're looking for online sessions or in-person experiences, we'll work with you to design a program that meets your workforce's needs.  Here's how we bring Ignite to life:

Elevating Knowledge and Skills

‍Power8 Ignite offers a range of educational programs that empower employees to learn and grow. We partner with industry experts to offer insightful talks on current topics, covering everything from industry trends to personal development. Celebrity speakers share their unique journeys and lessons learned, inspiring employees to strive for greater success. We create opportunities for dynamic exchange by facilitating panel discussions and roundtables, where diverse perspectives illuminate complex issues.  To make learning both informational and entertaining, we incorporate quizzes and games, sparking friendly competition and knowledge retention.

Fostering Wellness from the Inside Out

‍A sense of well-being is crucial to a truly engaged workforce. Our experiential activities focus on holistic wellness. Nutrition workshops explore healthy eating, while stress-management sessions equip employees with coping mechanisms for a more balanced life. Interactive activities encourage movement and mindfulness, leading to a refreshed and energized team.

Building Connection and Collaboration

‍Positive team dynamics are at the heart of engagement. Ignite offers team-building challenges designed to foster trust, communication, and creative problem-solving.  These activities aren't just fun – they help teams develop skills that directly translate to workplace success.

Celebrating Well-being Together

‍We believe well-being extends beyond the workday with our focus on family-focused events. These events create space for employees to connect with their loved ones, fostering a sense of community and shared values. Our wellness flea markets provide a vibrant space for discovering products and services that support well-being, offering a unique experience for employees and their families.

The Power8 Advantage

When you partner with Power8 Ignite, you don't just get a program; you gain a dedicated ally in building a thriving workplace culture.  Our impact speaks for itself:

• Clients Supported: We've proudly partnered with a vast range of organizations, demonstrating our adaptability and proven success in driving engagement across diverse industries.
• Lives Touched: Our programs have positively impacted the lives of over 800,000 individuals, emphasizing the far-reaching effect of our engagement initiatives.
• Programs Conducted: We've delivered over 5000 successful wellness programs, showcasing our experience and expertise in transforming workplaces.
• Hours of Training: More than 7500 hours of dedicated training delivered, reflecting our commitment to ongoing learning and personal development for your employees.

Let's Ignite Your Workplace

Imagine a workplace where employees arrive each day feeling energized, valued, and excited to contribute. A workplace where collaboration flows effortlessly, problem-solving is fueled by creativity, and achieving business goals goes hand-in-hand with promoting well-being.  That's the power of an engaged workforce, and it's what Power8 Ignite can help you create.

We understand that every organization is unique. That's why we'll partner with you to design a customized Ignite engagement program that seamlessly aligns with your company's culture and goals.

Don't settle for a disengaged workforce. Contact Power8 Ignite today and let's transform your workplace into a thriving hub of productivity, innovation, and well-being.