More people nodding off at work

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Many people are falling asleep at work because of an "epidemic" of sleep deprivation, a survey suggests.

More than half of the 2,000 people questioned said they felt constantly tired, hotel chain Travelodge found.

Almost half said they nodded off at work and many admitted to nipping off for a quick "power nap".

Workers were tired mainly because of employment pressures, and said falling asleep at work often happened during meetings or presentations.

'Sleep debt'

Travelodge's sleep director Wayne Munnelly said it was little wonder people fell asleep given their stressful lifestyles.

"This is because we are all suffering from sleep debt," he said.

"You have to think of sleep in the same way as your bank account and ensure you are regularly topping up your sleep account for missed shut-eye."

Other unusual circumstances people admitted to falling asleep in were in the pub, on a park bench, during a date and while making love.