{"id":6967,"date":"2025-02-27T19:49:10","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T19:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=6967"},"modified":"2025-02-19T19:49:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T19:49:55","slug":"the-impact-of-work-from-home-on-sleep-patterns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/the-impact-of-work-from-home-on-sleep-patterns\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impact of Work-From-Home on Sleep Patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Impact of Work-From-Home on Sleep Patterns: Solutions for Remote Workers<\/span><\/h1>\n

Is working from home wreaking havoc on your sleep?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote work gained popularity\u2014and necessity\u2014during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Americans worked from home long before the virus erupted. In 1965, <\/span>0.5 percent of paid workdays<\/span><\/a> were performed at home\u2014or somewhere other than the office. By 2019, that number rose to 7 percent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fast forward a few years, and the remote work landscape changed dramatically starting in the spring of 2020. The U.S. and much of the world shut down due to the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. As businesses, corporations, government buildings, schools, and other in-person work locations closed, the work-from-home rate rose to <\/span>28 percent of the workforce<\/span><\/a> until June 2023. The percentage of remote workers has dropped a few points since 2023 to about <\/span>26 percent<\/span><\/a> as of August 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sleep is essential for overall health and productivity for workers inside and outside of the traditional workplace. Today, we\u2019ll look at common sleep problems for remote workers and provide some solutions to help you get good sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Sleep Challenges of Remote Workers<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the biggest challenges that stand in the way of remote workers getting quality sleep is keeping our circadian rhythm in sync. Our <\/span>circadian rhythm<\/span><\/a> is a physiological process that tells our bodies when to sleep and wake up naturally. Sunlight and temperature are external factors that influence our circadian rhythm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we work, live, and sleep in the same space, we\u2019re more likely to stay indoors for longer lengths of time. Inadequate exposure to sunlight can negatively impact our circadian rhythm, so it\u2019s essential to modify these elements as needed. Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Work\/Home Boundaries<\/span><\/h3>\n

Remote workers are more likely to have difficulty setting boundaries between home and work life. A <\/span>2022 study<\/span><\/a> identified the main challenges that remote workers face in keeping their <\/span>boundaries<\/span><\/a> while working at home. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n