Finding it difficult to sleep? Blame your colleagues

Finding it difficult to fall asleep at night? Then blame your rude colleagues. A new US research shows that impolite colleagues could be contributing to insomnia.

To treat this, learn to put the day behind by getting involved in fun activities. Exercising, listening to music, indulging in a hobby or even meeting friends could help achieve this.

The research was carried out by researchers from Oakland University, Portland State University, Oregon Health & Science University and the USDA Forest Service.

Researchers surveyed 699 employees of the US Forest Service and participants were asked to rate the level of rude behaviour they encountered at work every day.

The participants were asked to rate the level of rude behaviour they experienced in the workplace as well as how often they had negative thoughts about work. Participants were also asked whether they experienced any symptoms of insomnia, details about their alcohol intake and if they were able to set apart time for other leisure activities. The number of hours they worked per week and if they had children under 18 were also considered.

"Incivility in the workplace takes a toll on sleep quality," said lead author Caitlin Demsky. "It does so in part by making people repeatedly think about their negative work experiences. Those who can take mental breaks from this fare better and do not lose as much sleep as those who are less capable of letting go."

"Sleep quality is crucial because sleep plays a major role in how employees perform and behave at work," continued Demsky, "In our fast-paced, competitive professional world, it is more important than ever that workers are in the best condition to succeed, and getting a good night's sleep is key to that."

The findings of the research appears in Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.