Infographic courtesy of Doctors.net.uk. Click to see a larger version or to download.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are working long and erratic schedules – working shifts that we may not be used to – “burning the candle at both ends”, as they say. Fatigue at work, and on the road, can be deadly. It is estimated that more than 43% of workers are sleep deprived. Work schedules often do not coincide with natural sleep cycles, so we are seeing employees who may be suffering from night shift fatigue.
Despite the fact that adults require 7-9 hours of sleep daily, about 30% of people report they get less than 6 hours of sleep each night. This chronic fatigue can lead to health conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and other illnesses. And don’t think you are safe from drowsy driving (ie. impaired driving) – it affects everyone, but especially those under age 25, who make up an estimated 50% or more of drowsy driving crashes. So, get some GOOD sleep! Take care of yourself so you can take care of others while preventing unnecessary injuries caused by drowsiness and fatigue.
During #NationalTraumaAwarenessMonth, the American Trauma Society, the NJ Trauma Council Injury Prevention Coordinators and Safe Kids New Jersey remind you that #DistractionsCanBeDeadly. For more information visit: amtrauma.org.