Hilton Studies Guests' Sleep
Travel-related sleep loss is the primary reason productivity suffers during business trips, according to results of a survey involving more than 3,500 business travelers released last week by Hilton Hotels Corp. The survey also revealed that, sleep aside, business travelers seeking to improve their productivity while on the road typically turn to caffeine to increase alertness, rather than exercise, which is more beneficial.
Regarding the connection between sleep and productivity, the study found that participants slept only five hours the night before a trip, the lowest amount in the seven-day period in which their sleep pattern was monitored. "Any sleep period of less than six hours a night begins to diminish performance significantly," said Dr. Mark Rosekind, president of Cupertino, Calif.-based consulting firm Alertness Solutions, which coordinated the study for Hilton.
Given that their worst night of sleep was at home before they even reached their hotel, "Travelers essentially are operating at a decreased productivity level before even arriving at their destination," Rosekind said. While they tend to be sleep deprived through their stay, the best night of sleep typically occurs on the first night at a hotel. Overall, study participants registered a total sleep loss of almost eight hours in the seven-day period. "By the time they returned home, travelers had lost the equivalent of one full night's sleep," he said. "It's no wonder travelers take a while to warm up during their trip."
According to the study results, participants maintained the erroneous belief that alcohol helps enhance their sleep. "Travelers increase their alcohol consumption an average of 30 percent during trips, compared to the amount they might consume at home."
Another myth that the study results questioned involved the time of day business travelers function at peak productivity. "Travelers actually perform best during midday, not early morning, which is often considered the most productive part of the workday," Rosekind said.
Exercise emerged as the most effective way to increase performance while on the road. "Some surveys have shown business travelers turning to caffeine or even over-the-counter medications to increase alertness and energy, this study quantified the important role exercise plays as a primary performance enhancer," Rosekind said. According to survey results, travelers who exercised during their trip performed as much as 61 percent better on reaction and alertness tests than non-exercisers.
By contrast, travelers who turned to caffeine as a performance booster consumed an average of 14 percent more caffeine while on the road than at home. Soda and coffee were the caffeine sources cited most often.
The Hilton study, which was conducted from June through September, included Internet-based questionnaires and hands-on data collection. Specially programmed personal digital assistants and wrist measurement devices also were used on a small group of travelers to provide information on performance, sleep-wake patterns, etc.
Understanding the exercise-productivity connection for business travelers on the road, hotel companies across the board in recent years have expanded their onsite fitness facilities. In addition, Omni Hotels, among others, has introduced fitness kits that incorporate various pieces of portable fitness equipment and allow travelers to exercise in the privacy of their rooms.
In a variation on traditional fitness regimens, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in September launched a systemwide yoga program accessible through a dedicated channel on in-room televisions. A complimentary basket filled with a yoga mat, block and strap can be ordered through the hotel operator. "Guests place a high priority on being able to maintain various aspects of their lifestyle while they're on the road, and this program is meant to recognize that," said Kimpton chairman and CEO Tom LaTour.