When we think of preventive care, most people think of annual physicals, screenings, and lab tests. Sleep is just as important and often overlooked. Consistent, quality sleep plays a significant role in physical health, mental wellbeing, productivity, and overall quality of life. Over time, poor sleep can also contribute to higher healthcare costs.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, weakened immune function, and workplace injuries. Lack of sleep impacts focus, reaction time, and decision-making. Addressing sleep early is one of the easiest ways to reduce long-term risk and avoid more complex health issues later.

Why sleep matters

Sleep supports physical recovery, hormone regulation, memory, and emotional resilience. When sleep is disrupted regularly, these processes are affected. Over time, this can increase stress, reduce performance, and raise the likelihood of chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.

Employees experiencing ongoing sleep issues often rely more on urgent or emergency care than on preventive or primary care. This approach increases costs and rarely addresses the root cause. Sleep should be viewed as a foundational part of preventive health.

Taking ownership of your sleep and health

Sleep is an area where small, consistent actions make a meaningful difference. Paying attention to sleep patterns, asking questions early, and using available resources can help prevent more serious issues later.

Employees should feel comfortable raising sleep concerns with their primary care provider, especially when fatigue, stress, or disrupted sleep becomes ongoing. Early conversations often lead to simple adjustments or support that improve sleep before it impacts overall health or performance.

Using your benefits proactively

Many employees do not realize that sleep-related concerns are commonly covered under existing medical and behavioral health benefits. Fatigue, insomnia, stress-related sleep disruption, and breathing concerns are appropriate reasons to speak with a provider.

Using benefits proactively, rather than waiting until symptoms escalate, often leads to better outcomes and fewer disruptions over time. Depending on your medical plan, sleep-related benefits may include primary care visits, referrals for sleep studies, including at-home testing, behavioral health support, and access to digital tools or wellness programs.

Using sleep tracking devices

Wearable devices such as the Oura Ring, Apple Watch, and Fitbit can help individuals better understand sleep patterns by tracking duration, movement, heart rate, and recovery trends. These devices do not diagnose conditions, but they can help identify patterns that may warrant further evaluation.

If sleep data consistently shows short duration or frequent disruption, it may be time to ask questions, speak with a provider, or explore sleep-related benefits available through your plan.

Resources

Venbrook offers resources to help employees navigate care efficiently, including benefits advocacy support, benefit education and tools, and assistance in identifying wellness or condition-management programs available through your plan.

Kaiser Permanente - Programs vary by plan

Additional Sleep Resources

The bottom line: Sleep is a foundational part of your long-term health. Paying attention early, asking questions, and using benefits proactively can reduce stress, support wellbeing, and help prevent costly care later.

If you'd like to learn more, please contact me at:

Heather Raskulinecz
Sr. Vice President, Employee Benefits
Hraskulinecz@venbrook.com
C:949.547.0227