Most people experience a sluggish day at work now and then. But if you’re constantly struggling to stay awake on the job, you might be asking yourself: “Why do I keep falling asleep at work?” While it might be easy to blame boredom or a heavy lunch, chronic sleepiness during work hours could point to a larger issue—possibly even a medical condition that qualifies for disability benefits.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common reasons why someone might feel excessively tired at work, offer tips to help you stay alert, and explain how a legal professional can help if your fatigue is tied to a disabling condition.
Common Reasons for Falling Asleep at Work
1. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Let’s start with the most obvious culprit: not sleeping enough. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. If you’re burning the candle at both ends or pulling late-night shifts, that sleep debt can quickly catch up with you. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to reduced focus, slower reaction times, and increased risk of workplace accidents.
2. Poor Quality Sleep
Even if you’re technically in bed for 7–8 hours, you may not be getting restful sleep. Issues like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or frequent awakenings can affect the quality of your rest. If your body isn’t reaching deep, restorative stages of sleep, you’ll wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed.
3. Shift Work Disorder
Working overnight or rotating shifts disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, which controls your natural sleep-wake cycle. People with Shift Work Disorder often feel alert when they should be sleeping and sleepy when they need to be working. This leads to chronic fatigue and difficulty staying awake at work—especially during long or quiet shifts.
4. Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia is a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting adequate rest at night. People with hypersomnia might fall asleep at inappropriate times, like during meetings or even at their desks. Unlike normal fatigue, hypersomnia is persistent and hard to control without treatment.
5. Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep, often during the day—even in the middle of a conversation or activity. These episodes can be dangerous, particularly in work settings involving machinery or vehicles.
6. Other Medical Conditions
Fatigue can also be a symptom of various underlying health issues. Conditions such as depression, anemia, thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even diabetes can leave you feeling exhausted throughout the day. If your tiredness doesn’t improve with sleep, it may be time to speak to a doctor.
Tips to Stay Awake and Alert at Work
While you work on addressing the root cause, there are strategies you can try to help you stay awake and focused:
- Take short breaks: Brief walks or light stretching every hour can help reset your energy levels.
- Drink water regularly: Dehydration can contribute to fatigue.
- Eat energy-boosting snacks: Nuts, yogurt, and fruits can help maintain alertness without the crash of sugary snacks.
- Limit caffeine after noon: Too much caffeine later in the day can disrupt your sleep, creating a vicious cycle.
- Let in natural light: Exposure to daylight can signal your body to stay awake and alert.
If none of these tips seem to help and you’re still falling asleep at work frequently, it’s time to consider a deeper issue.
Could You Qualify for Disability Benefits?
If your sleepiness is linked to a diagnosed medical condition—especially one like narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or a neurological disorder—you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers how your condition affects your ability to work full time. If excessive sleepiness makes it unsafe or impossible to perform your job duties, you could be eligible for SSDI or SSI benefits.
However, the process of proving eligibility isn’t always easy. It requires detailed medical records, documentation of your condition’s impact on your work life, and sometimes expert testimony.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
At Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, we’ve helped thousands of clients navigate the complex process of applying for disability benefits. We understand the real-world impact of fatigue-related conditions and how they can interfere with daily functioning. Our team is here to help you:
- Determine if your condition may qualify under SSA guidelines
- Gather medical documentation
- File your initial application or handle your appeal
- Represent you in hearings, if necessary
We work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
Don’t wait until it affects your job or safety. Contact Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates today for a free case evaluation and find out if you may qualify for disability benefits. Let us help you get the support you deserve.
Call us or fill out our contact form today to get started.
