Your Rude Colleague Is Costing You Sleep

A new study shows that being the target of rude behavior at work is costing you sleep at home.

Ever dwell on a spat you had with a coworker or a dressing down by your boss? Did you rehash the conversation for hours, even after you left work for the day? Did you toss and turn in bed, thinking about the injustice of your situation or imagining what you should have said at the time? If so, you’re not alone. A new study by the American Psychological Association, reported by Science Daily, shows that experiencing rude or negative behavior at work is linked to symptoms of insomnia.

“Incivility in the workplace takes a toll on sleep quality,” said lead author of the study Caitlin Demsky, PhD. “It does so in part by making people repeatedly think about their negative work experiences.”

“Sleep quality is crucial because sleep plays a major role in how employees perform and behave at work,” said Demsky.

Beyond losing sleep, dwelling on an unpleasant event in your work day may also increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases, increased blood pressure and fatigue, according to the authors.

(It’s worth noting that workers who are unpleasant to their colleagues aren’t doing themselves any favors; they’re more likely to be unhappy.)

The study also found, however, that people who were able to detach from their jobs and do something relaxing after work slept better.

In fact, Demsky suggests that managers can benefit their employees – and their organizations – by setting the good example of not sending work-related emails or messages outside of business hours.

People able to detach from their jobs and do something relaxing after work sleep better. In fact, researchers suggest managers benefit their employees – and organizations – by not sending work-related messages outside of business hours.

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So if you had a bad day at the office, leave work on time, and leave work at work when you’re done for the day; no after-hour emails, no late-night Power Points, no “one more thing(s)”.

In fact, Medical News Today reports that the “pattern of giving into the temptation of staying productive even outside of normal work hours can affect our health for years to come.”

Instead, get some exercise, meet up with a friend, go for a walk, or listen to some relaxing music – whatever you do to relax and unwind. It’ll make you a better employee, and you’ll also find it’s easier to catch up on your sleep.

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