From Desk to Dreams: How Work Stress Disrupts Your Sleep April 16, 2025 The Vicious Cycle of Stress Work stress is a reality for many of us, and April, being Stress Awareness Month, is a perfect time to reflect on its impacts—especially how it affects our sleep. Workplace pressure and poor sleep is more closely linked than you might think, and it’s a cycle that can take a toll on your mental and physical health. When stress from work takes over, the effects on sleep can be immediate and far-reaching. It’s not uncommon to lie awake at night worrying about unfinished tasks, an upcoming meeting, or the sheer volume of work piling up. These thoughts can keep your mind racing long after you've turned out the lights, making it difficult to fall asleep. Unfortunately, the lack of sleep only exacerbates the stress, leaving you feeling more tired, irritable, and unable to focus the next day.1 This, in turn, leads to even more stress—and the cycle continues.1 Beyond Just Feeling Tired When we talk about work stress and sleep, it’s easy to focus on tiredness, but the effects run much deeper than simply feeling groggy in the morning. Insomnia is one of the most common outcomes of chronic stress, and even when you do manage to sleep, you may find it restless and unrefreshing.2 As stress interferes with your ability to get a good night's rest, you’re left feeling drained, frustrated, and unable to cope with the challenges that lie ahead. Research found that work-related pressure is significantly affecting people's personal time, with 68% of Australian workers reporting having sleepless nights directly caused by work stress.3 Over time, this disruption can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and even mood swings, making the workday feel even more overwhelming. The cycle doesn’t end with just difficulty falling asleep; chronic work stress can also lead to serious long-term health consequences. Studies have shown that those who experience both stress and poor sleep are at a higher risk of developing and dying from conditions like cardiovascular disease.4 Practical Sleep Strategies While it’s tough to escape work-related stress, there are steps you can take to break the cycle and improve your sleep. The key is to create the right conditions that help your body transition into rest, even when your mind is still busy. Consider establishing a relaxing pre-bedtime routine and good sleep hygiene, like deep breathing or reading, to calm your mind.2 Other good ideas include: dimming the lights, playing calming music, taking a warm shower, or practising deep breathing or mindfulness meditation. One thing you shouldn’t overlook is your bedroom environment. Your surroundings play a bigger role than you might expect, so try to keep your bedroom cool, quiet and dimly lit. It’s best to avoid screens in bed and keep your space free of clutter so it feels calm. And if you use CPAP therapy, make sure your mask fits comfortably and your machine is well set up. All these little changes can make it much easier to relax, switch off, and drift into deeper sleep. Finally, if you find that stress is consistently overwhelming your ability to sleep, it might be time to seek professional support. Speaking with a GP, psychologist, or sleep specialist can help you uncover underlying issues and look at the treatment options available. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&C’s apply Citations 1. Lovering, Cathy. "How to Stop Stressing about Work and Finally Fall Asleep." Psych Central, 18 June 2016, psychcentral.com/stress/stress-related-insomnia-how-to-stop-stressing-about-work-finally-fall-asleep#tips. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025. 2. Paprocki, Jonathan. “Bring Work to Bed: The War between Stress and Sleep.” Sleep Education, 3 Apr. 2008, sleepeducation.org/war-between-job-stress-sleep/. “85% of Australian Workers Experience Stress Resulting in over 20 Million Sick Days per Year.” Medibank Newsroom, www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/85percent-of-australian-workers-experience-stress-resulting-in-over-20-million-sick-days-per-year. “Stressed at Work and Trouble Sleeping? It’s More Serious than You Think.” Escardio.org, 2019, www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Stressed-at-work-and-trouble-sleeping-It-s-more-serious-than-you-think. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025
