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The Health Effects of Shiftwork
Most health problems attributed to shiftwork are believed to result from the fact that it requires people to invert the normal cycle of being awake and active during the day and sleeping at night.
For most people, the body’s circadian rhythms -- daily fluctuations in body functions such as body temperature, hormone production and blood pressure -- stay oriented to daytime living. Body temperature, for example, rises in the afternoon and dips during the overnight hours, while the production of the hormone melatonin follows the opposite pattern.
It’s different for shiftworkers. Working consecutive night shifts prompts circadian rhythms to slowly begin to shift, but factors such as the cycle of sunlight and darkness, the tendency to revert to daytime living on days off, and the need to rotate shifts prevent complete adaptation.
Living and working "out of synch" with circadian rhythms -- as well as constantly shifting them -- places stress on one’s body, potentially leading to health problems such as sleep disorders, stomach ailments, heart disease, mental health problems, increased mortality and risks specific to women's health.
9 Tips For Minimizing Shiftwork’s Health Effects
1 - Offer orientation and/or periodic training covering circadian rhythms and coping strategies for shiftwork.
2 - Make sure shiftworkers have access to lifestyle programs aimed at improving diet, stopping smoking and exercising regularly.
3 - Provide 24-hour cafeteria service or make healthy snacks available around the clock.
4 - Permit on-the-job exercise and/or have an on-site exercise room.
5 - Include a mental health component in your Employee Assistance Program.
6 - Select a shift schedule that minimizes wear and tear on workers’ bodies.
7 - Have a room with cots or easy chairs where workers can nap before and after work.
8 - Make job applicants aware that shiftwork may exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions.
9 - Identify and treat shiftworkers who have sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
For more information about what night workers can do to maintain their health, see the Working Nights Health & Safety Guide, available from Circadian Information (www.circadian.com).
Shiftworker Family and Social Life
The fact is that shiftworkers sometimes experience frustration with home and social life due to the nontraditional work hours. Shiftworkers commonly cite difficulty maintaining friendships, keeping the kids quiet during the day, accomplishing household duties, and finding time for a satisfying marriage. Partners of shiftworkers, meanwhile, may not like the feeling of being left alone at night.
We have created a video that discusses practical ideas you can use to maintain a healthy family and social life.
Here are some tips for minimizing family and social challenges:
Bring up problems early and resolve them - before they threaten relationships. Make "dates" with your partner or children to share special activities. Designate a certain time each week to relax and talk with your partner (even if the time changes weekly). Set up a family bulletin board where family members can leave notes, schoolwork, drawings, photographs, cartoons, etc. Rent or purchase a camcorder for special events you have to miss, such as birthdays, Little League games, ballet recitals, etc. Watch the tapes together. Install a home security system, or get a dog, if your partner is fearful at night. Make sure your partner can reach you by phone or pager at work; if you can't receive calls, arrange a time for you to call home. Develop a circle of friends who understand your work schedule and are willing to be flexible in order to spend time with you. Organize co-workers or friends who share your schedule to go to a restaurant or movie or play a sport together.
With all these tips, communication is the key. Communicate often and clearly, and plan effectively. Discuss what you've learned on this website about shiftwork and sleep, health, stress, exercise and nutrition.
Source: Working Nights Health & Safety Guide (Circadian Information, Lexington, Mass. USA, www.circadian.com)
The Benefits of Shiftwork
While shiftwork has its drawbacks, it's important to recognize that it has advantages too. It is worthwhile to highlight the benefits of shiftwork, many of which are family related.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of working at night is that public places are less crowded during the daytime. You can breeze through shopping malls, grocery stores and banks without having to wait in long lines. For recreation, movie theaters offer daytime discounts and you don't have to worry about people rushing you through the golf course.
Similarly, by working at night, you may avoid one of the worst plagues of modern society - traffic. Late at night, the roads are likely to be empty, and if your shift ends at 7 or 8 a.m., you can cruise home while traffic lines up in the opposite direction.
Other benefits night workers have cited include: If you have pre-school age children, it can be easier to make child care arrangements because you're home in the daytime. You can see your older children's events such as recitals and soccer games without taking time off from work. It's easy to schedule personal business such as doctor's appointments and car tune-ups without interfering with work. Working at night means you can do your job away from the high-pressure atmosphere that sometimes prevails in the daytime. On 12-hour shift schedules, people get frequent days off, allowing them to pursue hobbies and spend more time with family and friends.
Source: Working Nights Health & Safety Guide (Circadian Information, Lexington, Mass. USA, www.circadian.com).
August 2001
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