Sleepless but Still Processing: How Insomnia Impacts Accounts Payable Work and What You Can Do About It
By Stephanie Garcia, Marketing and Brand Coordinator at APPG
The Hidden Cost of Sleepless Nights in AP
In accounts payable, accuracy and attention to detail are nonnegotiable. But what happens when you come to work after a night of tossing and turning? Insomnia, the persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep, can have a direct and costly impact on your ability to process invoices, manage deadlines, and communicate effectively with vendors.
Sleep deprivation can reduce cognitive performance, slow reaction time, and increase error rates. In AP, even a small mistake such as a transposed number, a missed due date, or a forgotten follow-up can result in late-payment penalties, strained vendor relationships, and unnecessary stress.
Why AP Professionals Are at Risk
- Extended screen time, because evening light exposure can disrupt sleep timing
- Rigid deadlines and month-end close pressures
- Irregular hours during audits or system changes
- Mental carryover of unresolved issues, including thinking about work at night
Add in personal responsibilities such as family, commuting, and health concerns, and it is no surprise that many AP professionals struggle with sleep quality.
An APPG Perspective: Stephanie’s Story
Nowadays, you will find me lying in bed wide awake. My brain feels wired, as if I am fully alert with no chance of drifting off. My body twitches, my mind races, and I am left feeling uncomfortable. The doctor’s answer was sleeping pills, but they did not work. When I was offered a higher dose, I said no because the side effects felt worse than the insomnia. So I power through on three or four hours of sleep, still showing up for work, still fighting this sleepless battle.
Her story reflects what many in our community experience, pushing forward despite exhaustion because deadlines, vendors, and teams depend on them.
The Ripple Effect of Insomnia on Work Performance
- Reduced concentration, which can lead to missing key details in invoices or vendor communications
- Slower processing speed, which can make reconciliations and approvals take longer
- Memory lapses, which can result in forgetting to log a payment or follow up on discrepancies
- Mood changes, which can create friction during vendor calls or team meetings
Over time, chronic insomnia can also contribute to burnout and long-term health problems, both of which can threaten career longevity.
From Quick Wins to Comprehensive Strategies: Beating Insomnia
Here is a list of researched solutions, starting with the simplest changes you can make today, followed by more involved approaches for long-term improvement.
Low-hanging fruit: Start here
- Set a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
- Limit screen time before bed by reducing exposure to devices 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
- Cut back on late-day caffeine by avoiding coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate in the late afternoon and evening.
- Create a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment with tools such as blackout curtains, earplugs, or white noise.
Moderate effort: Lifestyle adjustments
- Get daily physical activity. Even 20 to 30 minutes of exercise may improve sleep quality.
- Try mindfulness or relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Set boundaries on work communication by avoiding emails or messages after a defined cutoff time.
More involved solutions: Professional support
- Ask about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), a first-line nonmedication treatment for chronic insomnia.
- Consider a sleep study or medical evaluation. For persistent insomnia, consult a qualified healthcare professional or sleep specialist.
- Discuss workplace adjustments, such as flexible scheduling, an adjusted workload, or temporary remote work when appropriate.
