The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 40.6 million American workers, 30 percent of the civilian workforce, do not get enough rest.1 According to a 2011 Harvard Medical School study, sleep-deprived American workers ultimately cost their employers $63 billion in lost productivity.
However, this problem is not unique to the U.S. Some of the most devastating human and environmental health disasters have been partially attributed to sleep loss and night shift work-related performance failures. These include the tragedy at the Bhopal, India, chemical plant, the nuclear reactor meltdowns at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, as well as the grounding of the Star Princess cruise ship and the Exxon Valdez oil tanker.2
For college students, the consequences of sleep deprivation can be lower grades or test scores and missed opportunities. Over time, lack of sleep can have a direct effect on one’s health, behavior and development. As part of springing forward and promoting wellness, the Consumer Health Information Center at the Central Park Campus Library and the Wellness Program, will host free wellness lectures focused on the importance of sleep throughout March and April.
Attendees will learn applicable tips on getting a good night’s sleep from Amber Allen, Collin College professor and registered polysomnography (sleep) specialist. These free lectures are open to the public and will run as follows:
1 p.m.
Thursday, March 20
Collin Higher Education Center -114
6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 27
Spring Creek Campus – A234
1 p.m.
Thursday, April 17
Central Park Campus – B108
For more information, contact Lisa Huang at lhuang@collin.edu.
1 Weber, Lauren. “Go Ahead, Hit the Snooze Button: Weary Workers Learn to Count Sheep Using Special Lighting, Office Nap Pods.” The Wall Street Journal 23 Jan. 2013: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323301104578257894191502654
2 Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research; Colten HR, Altevogt BM, editors. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2006. 4, Functional and Economic Impact of Sleep Loss and Sleep-Related Disorders. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19958/