ABSTRACT
People are creatures of habit like everyone else in the animal kingdom. In the absence of an identifiable sleep disorder, there are other circumstances that can lead to problematic levels of aviator fatigue. Poor sleep habits ultimately can result in chronic insomnia that lasts for years and becomes so frustrating that the sufferer actually begins to dread going to bed at night. However, habits can also create problems, and sometimes these problems interfere with sleep and result in operator fatigue. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) estimates that in the last century, Americans have decreased their sleep time by approximately 20 percent while adding about one month each year to their commuting and working time. However, despite this knowledge, many adults in the industrialized world continue to treat sleep as an option rather than as a requirement. The development of good sleep habits is one of many important ways to improve performance, alertness, and well-being at home and at work.
