Here's what happens at work when you get enough sleep

New data from Australian health and wellbeing tech business WorkScore show that those who get the recommended amount of sleep every night see significant workplace benefits. 

Findings from a recent WorkScore survey of almost 9,000 participants revealed that those who sleep the suggested seven to nine hours every night will: 

•    Score 25 per cent higher for overall wellbeing;
•    Find it 35 per cent easier to switch off from work; 
•    Rate their work/life balance higher than other people; 
•    Report having greater flexibility at work, and
•    Have 25 per cent more energy. 

The survey found that 61 per cent of us are getting the right amount of sleep, with 38 per cent not getting enough time in bed, which is having a big impact on performance at work and overall wellbeing, WorkScore argued.

"It's widely accepted that the average person needs somewhere between seven to nine hours sleep per night for overall physical and mental wellbeing," WorkScore co-founder Suzanne Deeming said. 

"For those employees not getting enough sleep, it's clear that work is having an impact."

Not getting enough sleep is, among other things, a big contributor to increased stress at work, she continued. 

"Employees who sleep less than five hours per night rate work 17 per cent more stressful." 

One per cent of us are sleeping more than 10 hours each night, which doesn't necessarily amount to better wellbeing either, Ms Deeming said. 

That cohort reported having 50 per cent less energy than those who sleep between seven and nine hours, and they also report having less energy and concentration than those who sleep less than five hours nightly. 

"So when it comes to sleep, it's important to get enough, but also important not to get too much," she posited. 

"Like so many things in life, it's all about getting the balance right." 

There's also a high correlation between those people who get the recommended amount of sleep and how they rate their workplace as caring about their wellbeing, she added. 

"Employers can help improve what happens after hours by promoting the right for employees to disconnect by reducing or even banning work communications after business hours," she suggested. 

"They should also encourage employees to take regular breaks during the work day and to make time for a lunch break."