Jessica O'ConnorWith some retail staff reportedly clocking more than 300 hours of overtime, hospitality teams working 12-hour shifts and delivery drivers facing 60-hour weeks, experts have warned the seasonal surge in workload is leading to widespread physical strain and disrupted sleep among frontline workers.
Research from MattressNextDay, in partnership with physiotherapist Rebecca Bossick, highlighted how prolonged standing, repetitive lifting and long periods of driving are affecting workers’ bodies across different sectors.
Bossick said retail workers are particularly prone to compressed lower backs and aching hips, while hospitality staff often experience tight upper backs, rounded shoulders and headaches.
Delivery drivers, meanwhile, face pelvic tilt and deep glute tension caused by long hours seated behind the wheel.
The physical demands of festive work do not stop at the end of a shift, with experts warning that fatigue and muscle strain are carrying over into the night.
According to Bossick, residual muscle tension, night-time inflammation and heightened joint sensitivity are disrupting sleep and reducing recovery, increasing the risk of pain and exhaustion during already demanding work periods.
Martin Seeley, CEO at MattressNextDay, said the strain placed on workers during December is often underestimated.
He said: “Christmas simply wouldn’t be the same without the tireless workers who put in the hours behind closed doors.
“However, we know that with that hard work comes fatigue on your physical and mental wellbeing.
“We want those people to know that the strain on their body doesn’t disappear once their shift ends; in fact, it follows them into the comfort of their bed and even into their sleep pattern.”
Bossick also warned that certain sleeping positions can worsen pain for workers already under physical pressure, particularly stomach sleeping, unsupported side sleeping and back sleeping with straight legs, which can increase strain on the lower back and hips.
Seeley added: “Christmas might feel magical, but for many, it can be physically exhausting.
“Without proper recovery, pain accumulates and sleep quality drops, which can affect mood, performance and overall wellbeing – all of which we rely on to get us through the merry season.
“Choosing the right orthopaedic mattress is one of the simplest ways to help the body repair more effectively during the busiest season of the year.
“Plus, it hopefully means more people going into the New Year feeling somewhat rested.”
