Work from home during the pandemic is ruining your sleep, finds a new survey

How will you describe your sleep cycle these days? If you are rolling your eyes at the question as you struggle to disconnect from your work and catch some shut-eye, you are not alone. As we scramble to get hold of the brave new world of social distancing, face covers and frequent hand sanitizing, people across the world are experiencing disruptions in sleeping habits, resulting in poor sleep.

A recent study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine has shed more light on the fact that the massive shift in our lifestyles owing to the pandemic, has significantly impacted our sleep quality. The researchers observed adverse changes in sleep efficiency, time to fall asleep, quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness in the participants. The study was conducted on 121 men and women between the ages of 18 to 65. Their sleeping habits were monitored once before and then 40 days after the quarantine. After collecting the data, their sleep quality was checked using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and their BMI was also noted.

The research found out that all the participants noted an increase in the PSQI score which actually signified worsened sleep quality, following the quarantine. The study titled ‘Does Sars‑Cov‑2 threaten our dreams? Effect of quarantine on sleep quality and body mass index’ underlined the dramatic link between quarantine and poor quality of sleep and increased sleep disturbances.

The study also highlighted that the PSQI score was higher in those individuals who were working from home and used smart devices throughout the length of the day. The researchers believe that the increase in screen time while working from home may have a huge role in disrupted sleep and poor sleep quality. The participants also noted a decrease in their physical activities (owing to quarantine) and their tendency to make unhealthy food choices increased during the pandemic.

The researchers underlined that in addition to a monumental increase in screen-time, poor eating habits and a drastic reduction in physical activities also impacted the sleep cycle. Additionally, a heightened level of anxiety related to the pandemic also played a huge role in creating a vicious circle of poor sleep and interrupted sleep. As we learn to brace the new normal, it is important that we make conscious efforts to evaluate our sleep patterns and look for potential disruptors.