Sleep research: All the reasons to never sleep on the job

• Author:
• Author name

  Quantumrun Foresight
• January 19, 2022

Insight summary

Sleep patterns, influenced by our unique genetics, play a significant role in our daily performance and overall health. By aligning daily routines with these patterns, individuals can enhance their productivity and wellbeing, while companies can boost employee satisfaction and efficiency. Furthermore, governments can utilize sleep research to inform public policies, leading to societal improvements, such as better academic performance, healthier citizens, and more efficient use of resources and services.

Sleep research context

The assertion that human beings are unique is a revelation that usually refers to personality and ability in waking life. The latest sleep research reveals that the way we sleep is also unique. Being a night owl or a morning lark impacts how we perform daily functions. 

The quest for optimal living has sleep researchers and experts delving into the realms of sleep to explore its relationship with human performance. Sleep deprivation is well understood in the context of today’s success-driven and demanding society, and the damaging side-effects are well known.  

For decades the foundation of a functional and productive life has been based on the accepted norm of eight hours of sleep. Still, a gene mutation that promotes wakefulness has uncovered why some people can function optimally with just fours’ sleep every night. Furthermore, genetics also separates the night owls from the morning larks. It prescribes how melatonin and cortisol, the hormones involved in the sleep and wake cycle, impact performance during waking hours.

Disruptive impact

By understanding their unique sleep patterns, individuals can optimize their daily routines to align with their natural circadian rhythms. This optimization can lead to improved mental and physical health, increased productivity, and overall enhanced quality of life. For instance, a night owl could schedule demanding tasks for the evening when they are most alert, while an early bird could do the same in the morning.

For companies, the application of sleep research could lead to a paradigm shift in how they structure their workdays. By allowing employees to work during their most productive hours, companies could see a significant increase in productivity and employee satisfaction. This benefit could also lead to a decrease in employee burnout and turnover, saving companies money in the long run. For example, a company could offer flexible start times or even split shifts to accommodate different sleep patterns.

On a larger scale, governments could use sleep research to inform public policy. Schools could start later to align with the natural sleep patterns of teenagers, leading to improved academic performance. Public health campaigns could educate citizens on the importance of sleep, leading to a healthier and more productive populace. Infrastructure planning could also take into account the sleep patterns of the population, with public transportation and services scheduled to meet the needs of the majority. 

Implications of sleep research

Wider implications of sleep research may include:

• New technologies that monitor and optimize sleep patterns resulting in improved health outcomes and productivity.


• Cities designed to accommodate different sleep schedules leading to more efficient use of resources and services.


• Less emphasis on late-night activities and more on early morning engagements, promoting healthier lifestyles.


• Reduced health insurance costs for companies as healthier, well-rested employees are less likely to fall ill or suffer from chronic conditions.


• More comprehensive and effective treatment strategies for mental health disorders, reducing the societal and economic burden of these conditions.


• More equitable labor laws, with work hours that respect individual sleep patterns, leading to a more satisfied and productive workforce.


• A new focus in architecture and interior design, leading to more restful and productive living and working spaces.


• Policies aimed at reducing noise and light pollution leading to improved sleep quality and overall health for the population.

Questions to consider

• Do you think companies are ready to consider and accommodate the sleep schedules of employees as a way to optimize productivity?


• Do you think businesses, and society at large, can break away from the 9-to-5 norm?