The impact of work doesn’t stop when you leave the office. For many professionals, stress and anxiety follow them home, affecting one of the most critical aspects of well-being: sleep.

Poor sleep is known to damage physical health by weakening the immune system (NIH).

A recent HappierMe poll of 4115 people found that 44% of respondents experience significant sleep disturbance due to work-related stress and anxiety. Another 32% report moderate effects, while only 16% say their sleep is minimally or not at all affected.

Prominent figures like Arianna Huffington, who collapsed due to extreme exhaustion, have spoken about the dangers of sleep deprivation. Similarly, Jeff Bezos attributes his decision-making and leadership success to prioritizing a good night’s sleep. Their experiences highlight that sleep isn’t just a personal issue — it directly affects productivity, innovation, and well-being.

The connection between stress and sleep

Adequate sleep is essential for focus, decision-making, and emotional regulation. emotional regulation. However, stress and anxiety can keep the mind racing, making it difficult to unwind. When sleep deprivation becomes chronic, it affects cognitive function, productivity, productivity, and long-term health.

Common issues caused by stress-induced sleep problems include:

• Difficulty falling asleep: Racing thoughts and worry prevent relaxation.
• Frequent wake-ups: Anxiety keeps the body in a state of alertness, leading to disrupted sleep.
• Early morning awakenings: Stress hormones may cause people to wake up too early, leaving them tired throughout the day.
• Poor sleep quality: Even with a full night in bed, stress prevents deep, restorative sleep.

The cycle of stress and sleep deprivation

When work stress disrupts sleep, it creates a vicious cycle. Poor sleep leads to decreased focus, higher irritability, and increased stress levels the next day. Over time, this can lead to burnout, reduced job performance, and physical health issues such as high blood pressure and weakened immunity.

Implications for organisations

This survey has many implications for organisations. 76% of employees report disturbed sleep as a result of work-related issues and this is impacting their performance, and their physical and mental health, leading to burnout, days off work and productivity.

Enlightened organisations will proactively support the wellbeing of their staff by creating a happier work environment and offering them tools to proactively manage their stress and anxiety.

How to improve sleep despite work stress

Managing stress effectively is key to improving sleep quality. The HappierMe app offers science-backed techniques to help users break the stress-sleep cycle and regain control of their well-being.

Stress-reduction techniques: :

• Breathing exercises to activate the body’s relaxation response
• Guided meditations to calm an anxious mind before bedtime
• Journaling prompts to release worries and promote mental clarity
• Tapping exercises to calm the mind

Long-term solutions for better sleep :

• Building self-awareness: Recognizing stress triggers and reframing responses
• Emotional intelligence training: Learning how to manage stress more effectively
• A regular meditation practice: This can help make the mind less reactive and better able to cope with the challenges of work

The HappierMe Approach

At HappierMe, we believe that sleep and mental well-being are deeply connected.

We cannot always control our work environment, but we can take charge of how we react to those challenges, and this can create lasting change.

The HappierMe app has many resources to help including a detailed mental health section, a feel better now section, and mini workouts for developing a healthy mind.

Sleep shouldn’t be a casualty of work-related stress. With the right tools and mindset, professionals can regain control, sleep better, and wake up ready to face the day with clarity and confidence.