Sleep coaching sessions at Protime help (children of) employees sleep better

16 June 2022

5 minutes

A good night’s sleep is something that many parents with young children can only dream of. Especially when they cannot catch up on the hours of sleep during the day, because they have to go back to work after their maternity or paternity leave. Together with the lack of sleep comes reduced resilience and productivity. Over the past 4 years, some 140 'Protimers' have joined the workforce and more than 90 Protimers have become mothers or fathers. Therefore, Protime endorses like no other the importance of sufficient sleep for employees with young children. Reason enough for Protime to invite a children's sleep coach to the headquarters in Mechelen.

A good night’s sleep is something that many parents with young children can only dream of. Especially when they cannot catch up on the hours of sleep during the day because they have to go back to work after their maternity or paternity leave. Together with the lack of sleep comes reduced resilience and productivity.

Over the past 4 years, some 140 'Protimers' have joined the workforce and more than 90 Protimers have become mothers or fathers. Therefore, Protime endorses like no other the importance of sufficient sleep for employees with young children. Reason enough for Protime to invite a children's sleep coach to the headquarters in Mechelen.

"It will come as no surprise to many that the quality and duration of sleep is significantly lower among young parents. An occasional short night can do little harm, but if you build up a 'sleep debt' in the long term, this can have consequences for your health and functioning. After all, a lack of sleep means that your immune system works less well, but fatigue also affects your mood and emotions. In addition, cognitive capacity decreases, which means that you can think less clearly, your attention span reduces, and you have a worse memory. Employers therefore only stand to gain by supporting their employees with young children to limit the impact of sleep deprivation."

Lode Godderis, professor of occupational heath KU Leuven.

The child sleep coaches of SHIFT developed a sleep coaching session specifically aimed at companies who want to invest in the well-being of the young parents among their employees.

The session starts with general information about sleep, including an answer to what a biological clock is. It then focuses on a safe and optimal sleep environment, and which sleep routines (balance between day and night sleep) parents should best keep with their children. Next, the role of nutrition on sleep is highlighted, and we end with some tips that can help children to sleep at the times when they are expected to sleep. And, of course, various cases from the participating employees will be discussed in detail.

"When it comes to 'feeling good', attention is often paid to a healthy diet and enough exercise. Sleep' is at least as important and yet it does not always get the attention it deserves. We want to change this. When a child sleeps restlessly, the whole family sleeps badly. This has a major impact on our performance. Employers who care about the wellbeing of their staff with young children can only gain by focusing on a good night's sleep for their employees."

Lien Delamillieure - SHIFT

Beter slapen betekent verhoogde productiviteit

Protime is the first to organise a sleep coaching session for the young parents among its employees. We are growing fast, and you can take that quite literally. In the past 4 years, some 140 'Protimers' have joined and more than 90 Protimers became mothers or fathers. That is why Protime endorses like no other the importance of sufficient sleep for employees with young children.

This workshop also fits in perfectly with the WeCare@Protime programme. "Through this programme, we, as Great Place to Work, focus on the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our employees", says Jonas Van Herck, People & Culture manager of Protime. Through various initiatives, we work during the year around six different themes that positively influence our well-being, namely home working, mental health, nutrition, productivity, connection and sleep," says Jonas Van Herck, People & Culture manager of Protime, and father of a baby and a toddler.

Protimers with young children were immediately very interested. "The registrations came in very quickly and in the end, some 60 Protimers took part in the sleep coaching session today. Together with the enthusiastic reactions, the stories about non-sleeping children came in. There is clearly a need for this workshop," concludes Jonas Van Herck.

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