Flashings

A nation of walking zombies

Do you feel as if you never get enough sleep? Do you find your eyelids drooping during the workday? Do you feel too tired to form a complete sentence?

You're not alone. According to an article in The Motivational Manager, as many as 60 percent of people in the United States are sleep-deprived, which can affect job performance. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation says sleep deprivation costs employers almost $20 billion per year in absenteeism, lost productivity and mistakes in the workplace.

James Maas, psychologist and sleep expert at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., refers to the U.S. population as "a nation of walking zombies," and, unfortunately, that can affect your life and the lives of others. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 56,000 car crashes and 1,550 fatalities are caused by drivers' drowsiness and exhaustion each year. Some researchers believe early-morning events such as Three Mile Island's power-plant disaster could have been caused in part by tired workers whose sleep led to impaired judgment.

To make sure you are energized and alert during your waking hours, you need to work on getting enough sleep. Getting eight solid hours of sleep helps, especially if it is a sound sleep. Following are some tips to not only help you sleep but help you sleep well:

• Your body has an internal clock. Program it by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day—even on weekends.
  
  
• Rope off your bedroom as a mostly sleeping area. The environment will be more relaxing if you do not work, watch TV or eat in it.
  
  
• Don't drink coffee within six hours of bedtime and alcohol within three hours of bedtime.
  
  
• Smoking cigarettes can cause sleeping problems and make insomnia worse.
  
  
• Keep your digestive system calm—don't eat big snacks or meals before going to bed.
  
  
• Exercise produces endorphins and can lead to easier sleep.
  
  
• Make sure your mattress is comfortable. If it isn't, it may be worth it to buy a new one.

Workers hired for hurricane recovery

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has hired construction analysts to help with hurricane recovery efforts and perform property damage assessments. The construction analysts are working in disaster field offices in Puerto Rico and the 11 states that experienced severe damage from hurricanes.

"The SBA's disaster recovery staff is working hard in response to this unprecedented series of hurricanes and the devastation they have caused in so many areas," says Hector V. Barreto, SBA administrator. "They are facing challenging circumstances, and we deeply appreciate what they are doing to help these disaster victims rebuild their homes and businesses."

generalRoofing emerges from bankruptcy

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Texas confirmed Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based generalRoofing has completed the necessary steps to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company's Plan of Reorganization was confirmed Oct. 5 and went into effect Oct. 21 with payment of allowed claims and funding of an account that will pay disputed claims.

"This is an exciting day for generalRoofing as we have officially completed our Chapter 11 restructuring, and we emerge with a great deleveraged balance sheet and significant resources to allow us to go forth as a much stronger organization," says Bartley E. Roggensack Jr., president and chief executive officer of generalRoofing.

Polyurethane product prices increase

The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., increased its prices for pure and polymeric MDI products by 10 cents per pound and its VORANOL,™ VORALUX™ and SPECFLEX™ polyether and co-polymer polyols by 10 cents per pound Dec. 1.

A global shortage of MDI and polyol products has resulted from tight supply because of continuous growing demand.

"Critical raw materials that are used in the production of MDI and polyols and precursors, such as benzene, propylene oxide, aniline and propylene, are in short supply and costs continue to escalate," says Chuck Reardon, North American product market manager for polyurethanes at The Dow Chemical Co. "In addition, natural gas prices continue to rise and are forecasted to continue this upward trend. These combined factors have had a dramatic impact on our cost of production and margins."

Seasonal statistics

Following are some things to think about as the holiday season approaches:

• 46,438—The number of malls and shopping centers in the United States in 2002
  
  
• 11,086—The number of electronic shopping and mail-order houses in business in 2001
  
  
• $13.5 billion—Value of electronic shopping and mail-order sales in December 2002
  
  
• 1.9 million—The number of people employed at department stores in December 2002
  
  
• $32.4 billion—Retail sales by U.S. department stores in December 2002
  
  
• $466 million—The amount earned by tree farmers from Christmas tree sales
  
  
• $971 million—The amount of U.S. import value for Christmas tree ornaments between January 2003 and September 2003
  
  
• $30.6 billion—Retail sales figure for the U.S. toy industry in 2002
  
  
• 1—The number of places in the United States named Christmas (in warm and sunny Florida)

Source: Adapted from the U.S. Census Bureau Web site as cited by The Motivational Manager, November issue.

Reprinted by permission of United Media.