Being and staying healthy can make a significant difference in a person’s overall state-of-mind and quality of life. When people have stressful jobs combined with not sleeping well, they may experience even more stress and anxiety. As a result, many of these individuals will call in sick or take a “mental health day” in order to recuperate. In many cases, however, this may only make a difference in the interim and the pattern will resume.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, many workers within the United States have stressful jobs. Recent reports indicate that 40% of workers claim their jobs are either “very or extremely stressful.” As a result of these stressful jobs or work environments, approximately 66% of men and women have claimed that their stress levels have been impacted. Due to this, one out of every four of these individuals have either called in sick or taken a mental health day. This amounts to about one million employees that are absent from work every day. Absenteeism in itself, can cause a ripple effect at work, which can potentially increase rather than reduce employee stress levels.

It has been well-substantiated that stress can potentially lead to various health conditions and sleep disorders. It appears that approximately 60 million Americans have issues with their sleep cycles alone. While many Americans may experience sleepless nights on a regular basis, others may intentionally set their alarms earlier because they want to finish a work-oriented project or go into work earlier.

It’s clear that many Americans are not receiving the recommended amount of sleep. In 1942, for example, the average person received nearly eight hours a night. Current information shows that the average is now 6.8 hours. When considering that seven to nine hours of sleep per night are generally recommended, it may not come as a surprise that 42% of adults receive less than seven hours a night.

When people experience more hours of sleep, it has been associated with having a more positive outlook on life and a higher sense of well-bring. This can obviously make a positive impact at work, and may assist with reducing workplace stress. In addition to getting more sleep, many people have found that using heat wraps help them to relax so they are better able to sleep.

Aromatherapy has also been effective with helping people to reduce their stress levels. When combined with heat therapy, such as microwaveable heat wraps, this can reduce muscle tension, stress, and provide a feeling of relief and relaxation. Since there are different types of heat wraps available, such as those designed for the neck, shoulders, and back, employees may benefit from using these at work, when appropriate. Since workplace stress is such a critical issue, it’s important for employers and employees to work together as a team to reduce it whenever possible.