Mental Health at Work: How Sleep Impacts Productivity and Focus

In today’s fast-paced world, sleep is often sacrificed in the name of productivity. Yet the irony is that poor sleep directly undermines our ability to think clearly, stay focused, and perform well at work. In Australia, around 40% of people experience inadequate sleep, and two-thirds of adults report at least one sleep-related issue.^1,2 It’s no surprise then that fatigue and lack of concentration have become everyday struggles in many workplaces.

Why Sleep Matters for Your Brain and Job Performance

Sleep is not just about rest—it’s about recovery. During sleep, your brain consolidates memory, regulates emotions, and restores cognitive function.³ When sleep is cut short, everything from attention and judgement to decision-making and reaction times is compromised.³ In fact, studies show that after moderate sleep deprivation, your performance can be as impaired as if you were over the legal alcohol limit (BAC 0.05%).⁴

Even losing just 1.5–2 hours of sleep for a few nights can reduce accuracy, increase impulsivity, and make errors more likely.⁵ Workers sleeping less than six hours a night show cognitive deficits similar to people who’ve had two nights of no sleep at all.⁵ It’s easy to see how this affects workplace productivity—not to mention safety, with sleep-deprived workers being 1.6 times more likely to experience an injury at work.⁶

The Cost of Sleep Problems at Work

Inadequate sleep doesn’t just harm individuals—it comes with a heavy economic toll. In Australia, productivity losses from sleep-related issues were estimated at $11.7 billion in the 2019–20 financial year.⁷ Poor sleep also drives absenteeism, with one in four Australians missing at least one workday a month because of it.⁸

Some of the most devastating accidents in history, including major train and plane crashes, have been linked to fatigue and untreated sleep disorders.⁹ While most jobs don’t carry such catastrophic risks, the message is clear: sleep matters for safety, focus, and decision-making.

When Sleep Problems Are More Than Just “Tiredness”

While the occasional late night is unlikely to cause long-term harm, chronic poor sleep may point to an underlying sleep disorder. Common conditions include:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): A breathing disorder where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, leading to snoring, gasping, and daytime fatigue. Around 1 in 5 Australians have moderate to severe OSA, but 85% remain undiagnosed.^10,11 Effective treatment, such as CPAP therapy, can eliminate symptoms and restore quality rest.¹²

Insomnia: Ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep, often leaving people exhausted and irritable during the day.

These conditions not only impact work performance but also increase the risk of long-term health issues including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.⁹

The Sweet Spot for Sleep

The Sleep Foundation recommends 7–9 hours for most adults, though anywhere from 6 to 10 hours may be appropriate.¹³ Some people function well with less, while others genuinely need more. Too little or too much sleep can both be problematic, so the goal is to find a rhythm that leaves you feeling refreshed and mentally sharp.

Take Sleep Seriously

If you’re constantly tired, finding it hard to focus, or experiencing symptoms like loud snoring, morning headaches, or restless nights, it may be time to seek medical advice. Better sleep doesn’t just mean a better mood—it means sharper thinking, safer work, and healthier relationships.

Your health and productivity depend on it. If sleep is affecting your daily life, speak to your doctor. Getting help might be the single most effective way to boost both your wellbeing and your performance at work.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

“Asleep on the Job: Costs of Inadequate Sleep in Australia | Special Sleep Reports.” Www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/special-sleep-reports/asleep-on-the-job-costs-of-inadequate-sleep-in-australia.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. “Sleep Problems as a Risk Factor for Chronic Conditions.” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 26 Nov. 2021, www.aihw.gov.au/reports/risk-factors/sleep-problems-as-a-risk-factor/summary.

Khan, Mohammad, and Hamdan Al-Jahdali. “The Consequences of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance.” King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, vol. 28, no. 2, 28 Apr. 2023, pp. 91–99, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10155483/, https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2023.2.20220108.

Williamson, A M, and Anne-Marie Feyer. “Moderate Sleep Deprivation Produces Impairments in Cognitive and Motor Performance Equivalent to Legally Prescribed Levels of Alcohol Intoxication.” Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 57, no. 10, 2000, pp. 649–55, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10984335, https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.57.10.649.

Colten, Harvey R, et al. “Functional and Economic Impact of Sleep Loss and Sleep-Related Disorders.” Nih.gov, National Academies Press (US), 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19958/.

Uehli, Katrin, et al. “Sleep Problems and Work Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Sleep Medicine Reviews, vol. 18, no. 1, Feb. 2014, pp. 61–73, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079213000087, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2013.01.004.

Lyons, Sai, et al. “Work Intensity and Workers’ Sleep: A Case of Working Australians.” Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 9, no. 1, 20 Oct. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01410-2.

“Sickness Absenteeism Is Associated with Sleep Problems Independent of Sleep Disorders.” Sleephealthfoundation.org.au, Sleep Health Foundation, 20 Sept. 2023, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/news-and-articles/sickness-absenteeism-is-associated-with-sleep-problems-independent-of-sleep-disorders.

Somnology. “How Sleep Influenced 5 Major Disasters.” Somnology MD, 21 Nov. 2019, www.somnologymd.com/2019/11/disasters-caused-by-lack-of-sleep/.

Soenen, Stijn, et al. “Sleep Health Primary Care Clinical Resource.” Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 53, no. 6, 1 June 2024, pp. 349–355, https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-03-23-6779.

“80% of People with Sleep Apnoea Are Undiagnosed. Here’s How to Tell If You Have It.” Sciencefocus.com, 2024, www.sciencefocus.com/science/sleep-apnea-beat.

Katella, Kathy. “7 Things to Know about Sleep Apnea and CPAP.” Yale Medicine, 18 Apr. 2022, www.yalemedicine.org/news/sleep-apnea-cpap.

Sleep Health Foundation. “How Much Sleep Do You Really Need? | Sleep Health Foundation.” Www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au, 12 Jan. 2024, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-topics/how-much-sleep-do-you-really-need.