Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Are You Affected?
Copyright 2005 Wendy Owen
Shift work and sleep
Shift workers really do get a raw deal when it comes to getting
enough sleep. They have to try and sleep when the rest of the
world is waking up and their body clocks have a hard time
adjusting.
Short rotation shift workers are the worst affected. They have
to change their sleeping patterns every few days. No sooner does
the body's rhythm adapt than it's time to change it again.
I remember many years back I was boarding with a friend who was
a shift worker. I used to envy him as I passed him on the stairs
heading towards a comfy bed, while I was starting a new working
day, tired from being awake some of the night (I suffered from
insomnia back then)
Now when I think back, I realize how wrong I was. My friend was
sleep deprived even when he managed to get 6 hours - which
wasn't often. The sleep he was getting during the day just
wasn't as restful. It would be like having permanent jet lag.
Shift work and health
Sleep deprived workers are less productive and more prone to
accidents at work or while driving, they may suffer with
indigestion a lot as the digestive system becomes sluggish at
night. The effects of shift work becomes even harder to cope
with as we get older, maybe because are bodies are less
resilient.
Lack of restful sleep can also depress the immune system leaving
the shift worker prone to more colds, flu and other health
problems. And then there the ever present social hassles. The
shift worker has to sleep while their friends and family are
awake.
So what's the best way of getting a good "day's" sleep when
you're a shift worker? The main problem to overcome is the
body's natural circadian rhythm. It is designed to make us
sleepy as darkness falls and awake as daylight floods our
bedrooms. So all our systems are trying to slow down while we're
trying to get going.
Darkness stimulates the release of melatonin by the pineal
gland. The production slows down as it becomes light. Melatonin
encourages sleep and the lack of it can cause sleeplessness.
This is known as the shift work sleep disorder
The following can help.
Invest in heavy blinds and curtains to keep light out of the
bedroom
Buy a sleep mask and some ear plugs Turn off the phone or have
it somewhere you won't be disturbed
Make sure your family and friends know not to disturb you during
your sleep time Try melatonin half an hour before going to bed.
This can help to reset you body rhythms. Start with 1 mg
Bright light therapy can also help reset the body's clock and
regulate melatonin levels. Seek medical advice first.
The following are not recommended!
Drinking alcohol to help you sleep - have a drink by all means,
just don't expect it to improve your sleep.
Sleeping pills - They're ok for a very temporary fix.
So try the above sleep tips and see if they help your problem.
It may well be worth having a chat to your employer about a rest
break a on the job. After all it will increase your productivity
so you'll both benefit!