How Much Is Shift Work Impacting Your Sleep? Answers, Tips, and Strategies for Couples

 Answers, Tips, and Strategies for Couples

Night shift or shift work is not only more common than most people think, but it is increasing. Including the evening shift, one-fifth of working Americans work either the "grave shift," usually night hours, or a rotating shift schedule. Additionally, one-third of dual-income couples with children include at least one working spouse or partner in some version of this plan.

Shift workers experience various challenges that day workers do not. For example, chronic fatigue. Between 25 and 30 percent of night workers reported excessive sleepiness or insomnia.

Shift work can affect all aspects of a person's life

Shift work can affect many areas of an employee's life, including circadian rhythm, emotional health, increased risk of health and injury, and sleep disorders. It can add stress to the relationship not only between partners, but also in married life. When friends and family work day jobs, it can be isolating to deal with shift work.

Work extended shifts

Although the "grave shift" is not entirely new, the prevalence of night work has increased and continued with our modern "24-hour society" and global trade. The modern shift to extended shift work is associated with 24-hour convenience stores, larger hospitals, a larger population requiring nighttime public services such as the police, and an increase in nighttime flights carrying thousands of people. Even online customers increasingly expect 24/7 customer service via phone or online chat.

different types of shift work

Shift work may be a change in plan. Some employees work a "permanent" night shift schedule, while others work a "rotating" schedule, where they work daytime hours some days and night hours other days of the week. Other workers, such as those who work in restaurants and bars, often work well in the evening, but not until the next working day.

Some disadvantages of shift work

While it's healthy for workers to focus on the positive, some studies show the negative effects of night shifts and daytime naps. Sleep disturbances, circadian rhythm disturbances, and seasonal affective disorder are not the only side effects.

High risk of ovarian cancer

Research shows that shift work can increase the risk of tumors and cancer. While it's easy to assume that certain jobs, such as emergency room nurses, are stressful, it's part of the increased risk. However, the incidence of breast cancer in nurses and airmen is higher for night shift workers than for day shift workers.

The results are consistent with animal studies of continuous low light at night or continuous flight delay simulations.

Cardiovascular Disease

Reports show that shift workers have a 40 percent higher risk of heart disease than day workers. This may be due to the autonomic relationship between disturbed sleep patterns, circadian rhythms and cardiac regulation, and stressors from family conflicts and schedules.

However, studies have shown that other risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking and obesity, are more common among shift workers.

Digestive problems

Unfortunately, shift work comes with some gastrointestinal and digestive issues. Night shift workers suffer from nausea, indigestion, appetite changes, and weight changes more than day shift workers. Peptic ulcer is more common in night shift workers.

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Photo by DodgertonSkillhause at Morguefile

Comfort and mobility

Traveling to and from work shifts can pose other hazards. Shift workers are more likely to return from work than day workers. To help employees stay alert, listening to upbeat music or an audio book is a good idea in the shuttle house after the night shift. Changing your driving direction a bit can also help your brain be more alert.

Accidents and errors at work

In addition, shift work is associated with more industrial accidents, workplace or driver injuries, and higher rates of work errors. Additionally, studies have found an overall decline in work ability and an increase in reported injuries or lost-time work. It is beneficial for companies and employers to take all possible means to help shift workers cope with the stress and strain of late workdays.

A chronic pattern of resistance

It may be easy to assume that a shift worker will adapt to the work schedule over time. However, research shows that the majority of night workers are permanent - people who regularly work the night shift and do not need to jump back into their rotation.