Nearly half of Americans report that they get so little sleep, or such poor quality sleep, that they consider themselves too fatigued to function safely at work (1). For individuals living with a sleep disorder, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, or Insomnia, obtaining consistent, restorative sleep can be even more difficult.

As Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and author of “The Sleep Revolution,” famously said: “We are in the midst of a sleep deprivation crisis… and this has profound consequences.” (2) Her own collapse from exhaustion in 2007 became a turning point that sparked a national conversation about sleep health.

At The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona, our team of sleep specialists focuses exclusively on sleep medicine. This dedicated focus has helped establish the practice as the “Face of Sleep Medicine” in Phoenix, Arizona. With unparalleled staffing levels, patients benefit from access to multiple sleep specialists, a physician assistant with a Master’s degree in sleep medicine, a clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and many other professional and specialized individuals.

Fatigue in the Workplace: A Growing Safety Concern

The National Safety Council reports that 43 percent of Americans self-report that they don’t feel fully capable of functioning at work due to poor sleep (1). In this survey, ”functioning at work” includes the ability to navigate safety risks both in the workplace and while driving.

Functioning also involves thinking clearly, making sound decisions, and maintaining productivity. Among those surveyed, 91 percent reported having jobs with high fatigue risk factors, such as physically demanding work or jobs that require driving. An overwhelming 97 percent reported at least one fatigue risk factor, leading the National Safety Council to describe fatigue as a hidden but deadly epidemic (3).

What Are Fatigue Risks?

When a person does not get enough sleep, particularly high-quality sleep,fatigue occurs. This same survey also included nine risk factors for fatigue, including working the graveyard shirt or very early in the morning, working for long stretches without breaks, long commutes, and working more than 50 hours per week. 

While remote work has eliminated commutes for some people, working from home does not necessarily mean working less. Many workers report increased screen time and constant virtual meetings, often referred to as “Zoom fatigue.” In some workplaces, employees are expected to remain accessible outside traditional work hours, further blurring the boundaries between work and rest.

In Japan, there’s even a term for death from overwork: “karoshi.” (4) While in South Korea, workers face similar pressures under what they call “gwarosa.” (5) These terms reflect the very real consequences of chronic sleep deprivation and excessive workloads, with documented cases of young professionals dying from exhaustion-related conditions (6).

How Fatigue Impacts Performance, Safety, and Decision-Making

According to respondents to this particular survey, 53 percent said that they don’t feel productive at work. Over two-thirds, 76 percent, reported that they felt tired at work on a routine basis. Additionally, 44 percent said they struggled to focus at work (7). When workers are fatigued, mistakes are more likely to happen. These mistakes could be small, such as sending an email full of typos, but they could also be serious and even deadly. 

Several major disasters, such as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and the Challenger space shuttle explosion, all had one thing in common: fatigue was identified as a contributing cause (8).

Sleep quality matters just as much as sleep quantity. Research shows that being awake for 17 to 24 hours can produce cognitive and physical impairments comparable to alcohol intoxication (9). Fatigue is estimated to contribute to approximately 13 percent of workplace injuries and 21 percent of fatal car crashes (10, 11).

The Importance of Sleep: Treating Sleep Disorders

Everyone experiences occasional difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. However, when these problems occur regularly, they may signal an underlying sleep disorder.. When you lack quality sleep for a long time and it becomes chronic, the co-morbidities associated with poor sleep can become apparent. Some of the most common co-morbidities of a sleep disorder include heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, type 2 diabetes, and of course a decreased quality of life and increased risk of accidents (12).

Former President Bill Clinton has spoken openly about how sleep deprivation affected his decision-making while in office, once stating, “Every important mistake I’ve made in my life, I’ve made because I was too tired.”(13)

How Sleep Disorders Affect Daily Life Beyond the Workplace

Chronic sleep deprivation affects more than workplace performance. Research shows it can significantly impair memory, attention, and cognitive function. (14, 15).

Chronic fatigue can also affect patience, emotional regulation, and the ability to fully engage with family and friends. Over time, this effects can strain relationships and reduce overall quality of life.

Who Is Most at Risk for Fatigue-Related Health Issues

Certain groups face a higher risk of chronic fatigue and sleep-related health problems due to the demands of their daily routines. Shift workers, including healthcare professionals, first responders, and manufacturing or transportation workers, often experience irregular sleep schedules that disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm (16). Even when these individuals spend adequate time in bed, restorative sleep may still be difficult to achieve.

Caregivers and parents of young children also face elevated risk due to nighttime awakenings and prolonged stress (17). Individuals who work long hours, juggle multiple jobs, or are frequently “on call” may experience cumulative sleep loss that compounds over time (18). Without intervention, these patterns may increase the likelihood of chronic fatigue, mood changes, and long-term health consequences.

The Difference Between Being Tired and Having a Sleep Disorder

Feeling tired after a long day is normal. However, persistent exhaustion that does not improve with rest may signal an underlying sleep disorder. 

Occasional fatigue typically resolves with adequate sleep, while a sleep disorder causes ongoing disruptions to sleep quality, timing, or restorative function.People with sleep disorders may sleep what appears to be enough hours yet still wake feeling unrefreshed. 

They may rely heavily on caffeine, struggle with concentration, or feel mentally foggy throughout the day. Recognizing this difference is important because untreated sleep disorders can continue to worsen over time and affect both physical and mental health.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, has spoken publicly about prioritizing eight hours of sleep, noting “I think better. I have more energy. My mood is better.” (19) His stance challenges the common “hustle culture” narrative that glorifies sleep deprivation as a badge of honor.

Why Sleep Quality Matters More Than Sleep Quantity

While the number of hours slept is important, sleep quality plays an equally critical role in overall health. High-quality sleep allows the body to cycle properly through different sleep stages, including deep and REM sleep, which are essential for physical recovery, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation.

A person may spend eight hours in bed but still wake feeling exhausted if their sleep is frequently interrupted or fragmented. Conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, or circadian rhythm disorders can prevent restorative sleep even when total sleep time appears sufficient. Improving sleep quality often leads to better energy, clearer thinking, and improved daytime performance.

Why Professional Evaluation Matters

At The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona, treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Because sleep disorders can have many causes, a professional evaluation helps identify the underlying issue and determine the most effective treatment plan.

Virtual consultations are currently available, allowing patients to begin the process of identifying and treating sleep disorders quickly, safely, and comfortably. To learn more or get started, complete the online contact form today.

References

  1. Council, N. S. (2017, July 26). National Safety Council: 43 Percent of Americans Admit They May Be Too Tired To Function Safely At Work. Prnewswire.com; Cision PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-safety-council-43-percent-of-americans-admit-they-may-be-too-tired-to-function-safely-at-work-300494175.html
  2. The Sleep Revolution Ebook au format ePub – Arianna Huffington. (2015). Leclerc Ebook. https://e-librairie.leclerc/product/9780753551899_9780753551899_10012/the-sleep-revolution
  3. Fatigue Reports – National Safety Council. (2025). Nsc.org. https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/fatigue/fatigue-reports?srsltid=AfmBOooIUcdF2jAgIMdvakbR23g4hoBi2MN9JqVp7MpUM55VbWbS9OjK&
  4. sudden death from overwork. (2002, August 16). Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoshi
  5. Kwon, J., & Field, A. (2018, November 5). South Koreans are working themselves to death. Can they get their lives back? CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/04/asia/korea-working-hours-intl
  6. work culture in Japan characterized by simultaneous recruiting of new graduates (shinsotsu-Ikkatsu saiyō), lifetime-employment (shūshin koyō), long work-hours and strong devotion to one’s company. (2005, September 7). Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_work_environment
  7. Fatigue: Much More Than Being a Little Tired! (2018). Wharton Health Care Management Alumni Association. https://www.whartonhealthcare.org/fatigue_much_more_than_being_a_little_tired
  8. Rogers, A. E. (2008, April). The Effects of Fatigue and Sleepiness on Nurse Performance and Patient Safety. Nih.gov; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2645/
  9. Module 3. Impairments due to sleep deprivation are similar to impairments due to alcohol intoxication! | NIOSH | CDC. (2025, May). Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/work-hour-training-for-nurses/longhours/mod3/08.html
  10. Work-related Fatigue – Injury Facts. (2019, April 12). Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/safety-topics/work-related-fatigue/
  11. Acute Sleep Deprivation and Risk of Motor Vehicle Crash Involvement Car crashes rank among the leading causes of death in the United States. (2016). https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AcuteSleepDeprivationCrashRisk.pdf
  12. Colten, H. R., Altevogt, B. M., & US), M. (2025). Extent and Health Consequences of Chronic Sleep Loss and Sleep Disorders. Nih.gov; National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/
  13. Huffington, A. (2014, March 27). Arianna Huffington: Sleep Your Way to the Top. Inc. https://www.inc.com/arianna-huffington/sleep-your-way-to-the-top.html
  14. Crowley, R., Alderman, E., Javadi, A.-H., & Tamminen, J. (2024). A systematic and meta-analytic review of the impact of sleep restriction on memory formation. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 167, 105929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105929
  15. consequences of not getting enough sleep. (2009, November 16). Wikipedia.org; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_sleep_deprivation_on_cognitive_performance
  16. Boivin, D. B., Boudreau, P., & Kosmadopoulos, A. (2021). Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its Health Impact. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 37(1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/07487304211064218
  17. Meltzer, L. J. (2006). Impact of a Child’s Chronic Illness on Maternal Sleep and Daytime Functioning. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(16), 1749. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.16.1749
  18. MILIA, L. D., & Bjorn BJORVATN. (2024). The relationship between shift work, sleep, and work hours on wellbeing. Industrial Health, 63(2), 148–155. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.2024-0088
  19. Popomaronis, T. (2021, January 8). The math behind Jeff Bezos’ 8 hours of sleep—and why he says going “crazy” with 4 hours isn’t worth it. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/08/jeff-bezos-8-hours-of-sleep-why-he-thinks-just-getting-4-hours-isnt-worth-it.html

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for recommendations specific to your individual health needs.