How sleep problems affect transportation professionals

Planes, trains and automobiles – it is not just the name of a movie; this list also represents the findings of a new poll on sleep problems among transportation professionals.

The National Sleep Foundation’s annual sleep poll looked at how sleep problems affect pilots, train operators and others who work in the transportation industry.

According to the poll, train operators and pilots say that sleepiness affects their job performance about once a week. About 14 percent of truck drivers who were surveyed report near-miss events due to being sleepy.

What is behind all the increase in sleepiness? The transportation professionals who were surveyed say that shift changes were the main reason. These individuals also may have long commutes that reduce the time they can devote to sleep. Pilots and train operators often have a commute of 30 to 45 minutes compared to an average of 23.8 minutes for those not working in transportation.

“Getting enough sleep — as well as the right kind of sleep — is important for everyone,” explains Dr. Jessela Tan, board certified sleep medicine physician and medical director of the Lake Pointe Sleep Center. “People who often change shifts may have more sleep problems.”

If you are experiencing problems sleeping or daytime sleepiness, here are some tips to improve your sleep pattern:

  • Try to get onto a sleep schedule where you go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. This means not sleeping in or staying up later on weekends or days off.
  • Watch what you eat or drink before bedtime. Being hungry or eating too much can make you uncomfortable when trying to sleep. And if you’re drinking too much before bed, those extra trips to the bathroom cut down on your sleep.
  • Develop the right environment for good sleep. This includes a quiet, dark and cool room and a comfortable mattress and pillow.
  • Regular exercise is important for your sleep health, but do not workout close to bedtime.
  • Try a relaxing bath or listening to calming music to get your mind and body ready for sleep.
  • Ban work-related activities from the bedroom.
  • If you cannot go to sleep, go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity until you feel tired.
  • Limit daytime naps.

Most people experience occasional problems sleeping, but if you are not getting enough sleep or feel unusually tired during the day, you may have a sleep disorder. To schedule a sleep study, speak with your primary care physician or call The Sleep Center at Lake Pointe Medical Center at 1-888-98-SLEEP (75337) to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tan or one of their other board-certified sleep medicine physicians.

Submitted by Bobby Montgomery, Director, Marketing and Sleep Medicine, Lake Pointe Health Network. 

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