«Sleep has a profound impact on our health; it is essential to feel good.» — SantéPsy
On the occasion of International Sleep Day, celebrated on 13 March, it is important to remember that sleep is not just a private matter.
During the night, our mind regenerates, regains energy, emotions stabilize and memories strengthen. Conversely, insufficient or restless nights impede our concentration, mood and ability to cope with the difficulties of everyday life.
In a fast-paced world of work, where people often feel compelled to stay available, sleep is often neglected. Busy days, work-related stress, or the difficulty of cutting off work can gradually degrade sleep quality. But when sleep deprivation becomes regular, it is no longer just a temporary fatigue, but a warning sign that must be taken seriously.
Sleep, performance and fatigue: a delicate balance
Sleep is not just about rest. It plays a central role in psychological balance and the ability to work effectively. During the night, the brain processes information from the day, consolidates learning, and regulates emotions. This process supports essential functions at work: attention, memory, concentration, organization, and decision-making.
Good sleep promotes a stable mood, better stress management, and greater ability to take a step back. Conversely, repeated lack of sleep weakens resistance to stress, increases tension, and diminishes ability to think. The effects are not limited to feeling tired: they can affect work relationships, quality of work, and ultimately increase the risk of burnout.
Fatigue is often minimized. It is considered normal when work intensifies. However, when fatigue settles over time, it can reveal a greater imbalance: too much mental load, constant pressure to perform, difficulty disconnecting, or tensions within the team.
If several employees are involved, the effects can quickly be felt within the team: more mistakes, more tensions, a decline in the quality of work or a gradual retirement of some. Chronic fatigue can then become an important signal about the state of health of the organization.
Sleep disorders: what signs should you look for?
Not all sleep disorders are related to work. Nevertheless, certain signs should raise concern, especially when they persist: significant daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches upon waking, unusual irritability, or the feeling of never being truly rested.
According to the Ligue pulmonaire suisse, irregular snoring or breathing pauses observed during the night may also indicate sleep apnea syndrome. This disorder is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing and can lead to increased daytime sleepiness as well as reduced cognitive abilities. If in doubt, seeking medical advice and undergoing screening may be recommended.
It is, of course, not the company’s role to make a medical diagnosis. However, it can establish a framework in which employees feel comfortable speaking openly about their fatigue and being directed to the appropriate resources. Prevention is based above all on listening, dialogue, and a non-judgmental approach.
Acting together: a shared responsibility
Sleep is part of personal life, but working conditions have a direct impact on the ability to recover.
- At the organizational level, it is essential to clearly define priorities, avoid a long-term overload of work and limit demands outside of normal working hours. When everything becomes urgent and the pressure is constantly on, recovery time gradually decreases.
- Au niveau managérial, prêter attention aux signes de fatigue qui durent et ouvrir le dialogue permet d’agir avant que la situation ne s’aggrave. Donner l’exemple en respectant les temps de pause et de déconnexion aide aussi à instaurer une culture de travail plus équilibrée.
At the managerial level, paying attention to persistent signs of fatigue and engaging in dialogue allows action to be taken before the situation gets worse. Setting an example by respecting breaks and disconnection periods also helps create a more balanced work culture.
Three questions to ask:
As a manager, it can be useful to take a moment to ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Do teams really have time to recover between intense periods?
- Is the overload temporary or has it become habitual?
- Are we unintentionally encouraging excessive engagement?
These questions are not intended to assign responsibility. Rather, they are an invitation to reflect on the conditions needed to maintain sustained engagement, without exhausting teams.
Sleep is not just personal comfort. It is a pillar of mental health and an important indicator of organizational climate.
When recovery is no longer possible, it is important to consider the balance between work demands and available resources. Maintaining favourable conditions for rest is not an accessory: it is a strategic choice that supports the quality of work, the stability of teams and the prevention of psychosocial risks.
On the occasion of International Sleep Day, opening a dialogue on this theme is a reminder that sustainable performance is also based on collective health.
Want to learn more about this topic?
We offer several workshops, including one dedicated to sleep and recovery, to help teams better understand the mechanism of rest and adopt simple strategies to boost their energy on a day-to-day basis.
