Sleep is the most powerful recovery tool people have – and the most underrated one in a workplace context. Anyone who sleeps only six hours a night for two weeks builds up measurable cognitive deficits – and barely notices them (Van Dongen et al., Sleep, 2003).
What does good sleep quality have to do with the workday?
A well-rested brain is more focused, makes fewer mistakes, and regulates emotions better – findings from sleep medicine research that are directly relevant to everyday office life. Lack of sleep isn't a question of laziness but often a matter of hygiene: too much screen light in the evening, irregular sleep times, caffeine after 3 p.m. Giving employees concrete knowledge about these levers is an investment in performance – without booking a single course.
Which tips actually work?
Not 'sleep more' as an appeal, but concrete routines: a screen cutoff 60 minutes before bedtime, fixed wake-up times even on weekends, a cool bedroom. Information delivered in small bites – as a weekly tip, as a short newsletter paragraph – is more likely to be put into practice than long guides no one finishes reading. You will find more measures and how they fit in the field of action Stress & mental health.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Put together 10 to 14 evidence-based sleep tips (e.g. a fixed wake-up time, no caffeine in the afternoon, a screen break before sleep, a cool and dark bedroom).
- 2Phrase each tip briefly, in an everyday way and without a raised finger – as an offer, not a rule.
- 3Plan the distribution channel (e-mail or chat) and set the 2 weeks with one tip per working day.
- 4Send a short introduction: 2 weeks, one sleep tip a day, voluntary and without pressure.
- 5Send the first tip right along with it and explain why good sleep strengthens concentration and well-being.
- 6Make clear that nobody has to report results – it is about trying things out.
- 7Send the next tip on every working day at a fixed time.
- 8Add a short reason or source now and then, so that the tips stay credible.
- 9Invite people to share their own sleep routines in the chat if they like – with no obligation at all.
- 10Ask in a short, anonymous survey whether anyone has adopted a tip permanently.
- 11Collect which tips were most helpful and note the favourites.
- 12Offer to provide the best tips as a small overview, so that they stay usable in everyday life.
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- under 30 min
- Cost
- Free
- Setup
- 30 min
- ✓ Free
- ✓ Evidence-based
- ✓ Affects everyone
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
Screenshots with demo data, no real people.
Adopt it for your company
Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.
Try EasyWHP for freeRather take a look first? To the live demo →
Contributes to
Measure the impact with
Action field
Stress & Mental Health →A fitting occasion
- World Sleep Day
Related Best Practices
Not sure where to start? Self-check in approx. 7 minutes →