Why Atlanta’s Workforce Should Prioritize Rest This May

By Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae

• Apr 30, 2025

Atlanta is known for its fast-paced and high-achieving culture, which often celebrates the hustle of overworking. Unfortunately, this has made many professionals feel they need to sacrifice sleep just to keep up with the competitive atmosphere. The city’s incredible growth—with its booming tech scene, influx of corporations, and a wonderfully diverse population—only adds to the pressure on its hardworking individuals. As burnout becomes a more common experience, people are starting to shift the conversation from working harder to embracing smarter sleeping habits as a way to enhance focus, performance, and overall well-being. 

May is Better Sleep Month, a time to acknowledge the crucial role sleep plays in our health and success. As co-founders of The Inactive Company, a performance sleep brand committed to enhancing rest and recovery, we believe it's time for adult professionals in Atlanta to regard sleep seriously. Good sleep is not a luxury, but a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.

Poor Sleep: More Widespread Than You Realize

More than 60 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, and only one in three adults consistently achieves the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. In a city that thrives on ambition, this statistic is especially concerning.

Even mild sleep deprivation has real consequences, affecting everything from your mood and memory to your immune system and cardiovascular health. Over time, inadequate sleep increases the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, and depression. While we often think of sleep as separate from our work lives, the truth is that it is directly connected to how we show up at the office, in meetings, and in our careers.

Why Sleep Is a Superpower for Professionals and Athletes 

In today’s fast-paced world, sleep often feels like something to be squeezed in rather than prioritized. However, research reveals a different story: sleep isn’t time lost—it’s performance gained.

Quality sleep enhances decision-making, emotional regulation, creativity, and resilience. It sharpens focus and fuels motivation, providing professionals with the edge they need to navigate complex challenges and achieve demanding goals. In fact, studies show that individuals who sleep well are more productive, make fewer mistakes, and enjoy higher job satisfaction.

As women who have built a company dedicated to sleep performance, we have seen firsthand how the right tools and habits can transform a person’s energy, efficiency, and even outlook on life. Sleep is both self-care and a professional advantage.

Designing for Better Rest

At The Inactive Company, we fuse the science of sleep with intentional design. Our flagship product, Inactivators™, is a performance sleep mask designed to help people fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer. Trusted by professional and collegiate athletes, Inactivators™ is founded on research and crafted for comfort—because high-quality sleep begins with the right environment. Sleep scientists agree that darkness and a cool temperature are among the most important factors for a good night’s sleep, so we prioritized these elements in our product. Our patented five-layer design combines high-performance fabric and a customizable fit to create total darkness while cooling materials regulate temperature, helping the wearer create ideal conditions for quality rest. 

Sleep, like fitness and nutrition, flourishes with consistency. That's why we highlight visually appealing and effective solutions, elevating rest into a gratifying, even luxurious, part of daily life.

A Wake-Up Call for Atlanta’s Workforce

As we prepare to showcase Inactivators™ at the second annual Global Sleep Symposium in New York City on May 1—a gathering of sleep experts, wellness leaders, and tech pioneers—we are reminded of how crucial sleep innovation is for the future of work. Sleep is no longer just a health issue; it has become a public health priority with direct implications for workplace success.

That means employers have a role to play as well. Companies that nurture a culture where rest is valued witness significant benefits: fewer sick days, improved performance, and more satisfied employees. From flexible schedules to wellness programs that incorporate sleep education, minor adjustments can lead to major impacts.

We’re calling on Atlanta’s adult professionals—athletes, executives, creatives, parents, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between—to lead by example. Let’s stop glorifying burnout and start embracing balance. Let’s normalize going to bed early, taking breaks, and prioritizing rest strategically.

You don’t need a complete life overhaul to sleep better. Begin with a consistent bedtime, reduce screen time before bed, and create a calm, dark environment for sleeping. Experiment with relaxation techniques like deep breathing or journaling. And of course, use tools like Inactivators™ that help make falling and staying asleep easier.

Rest Isn’t Lazy—It’s Leadership

The next big breakthrough, promotion, or life-changing idea? It probably won’t arrive after your third cup of coffee and five hours of sleep. Instead, it’s more likely to emerge after a restful night.

Better Sleep Month offers the perfect opportunity to stop, consider, and renew our commitment to habits that improve our well-being and joy. Improved sleep leads to a better life and more effective leadership.

This May, turn sleep into your superpower.