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Sleep Solutions for Shift Workers

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You stand at the bathroom sink, yawn, and splash cold water on your face. You glance at the clock - it's 10 p.m. Instead of putting on pajamas and crawling beneath the covers, you're dressing for work.

You fill a thermos full of coffee and stumble out the door. On the drive to work, you rub your eyes and roll down the window a bit to keep from falling asleep at the wheel. You have trouble concentrating on your work and you struggle to stay awake throughout the night.

Finally, it's quitting time and you can go home to bed. Just when you're about to drift off, a neighbor cranks up a lawn mower, the birds seem to chirp louder than usual, and you can't ignore the sunlight seeping in around the corners of the drawn shades.

The lifestyle of a shift worker can be pure agony and the lack of sleep can lead to many problems, including depression, lower job productivity, health problems, and marital and family discord. It can also lead to accidents, both on the job and on the highway.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) cites a frightening statistic. In a recent study, the NSF found that 72 percent of shift workers admitted that they had driven while drowsy and 41 percent said they had dozed off at the wheel.

A 24-hour society

If shift work creates so many problems, why not just stick with a daytime routine? While that seems like an easy answer, it's not a possibility for many workers.

Shift work is essential in our 24-hour society. Many people who make their living at odd hours provide crucial services, such as emergency care and police and fire protection. There's also a demand for 'round-the-clock workers in the transportation and manufacturing industries. Our bodies, however, are regulated by a different clock.

Internal circadian clock

Humans are regulated by an internal body clock that causes them to be active or sleepy based on different phases of each 24-hour day. For most people, the desire to sleep is greatest when it is dark outside, and the need to be alert and active is greatest when it's daylight.

Shift workers must sleep when the body expects to be active, and work when the body expects to be asleep. To make matters worse, sleep is often shortened because of interruptions. During a work week, sleep deprivation accumulates and sleepiness becomes worse. The result is fatigue and stress.

Swing shifts

Swing shifts present even more challenging problems to workers. Just when they get adjusted to the hours of one shift, they spin off to another schedule.

Terri Lynn of Waldorf, Maryland used to pull a swing shift as a police officer.

"We worked three shifts: six days of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., two days off, seven days of 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., two days off and then seven nights of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. followed by four days off," says Lynn. "I was grouchy and fought with my husband. I'm sure it contributed to our divorce. I couldn't make any permanent plans for weekly meetings, clubs, etc., because of the shift changes."

The body's internal clock cannot adapt to the changes in sleep schedule. It's best if sleep schedules are not be changed by more than one hour counterclockwise or three hours clockwise from one night to the other.

Strategies for getting some shuteye

If you're working a shift and having trouble sleeping when you get home, here are some strategies for getting some much-needed rest:
  • Keep a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
  • Create a quiet, peaceful environment for sleeping.
  • Wear eye shades if the sunlight disturbs you.
  • Wear ear plugs if daytime noise keeps you awake.
  • Run a fan, or create other "white noise" to help lull you to sleep.
  • Turn off the ringer on your phone.
  • Put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your front door.
  • Exercise regularly, but not within four hours of bedtime.
  • Avoid caffeine near bedtime.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Consult a physician about the use of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids.

A short snooze

When you can't get enough sleep, you may find it beneficial to take a nap. Even a short nap can recharge a person and improve job performance, alertness and mood.

The National Sleep Foundation says studies show that naps at the workplace are important and effective for employees who need to keep a high level of alertness in order to make quick decisions. Naps at the workplace are also helpful for people working a double or a 24-hour shift.

Time for a change?

If you're experiencing severe symptoms related to sleep deprivation, it may be best to consider a job change, or at least a shift change. As some people age, they can no longer withstand the effects of shift work.

If symptoms become severe and interfere with daily life, like falling asleep during dangerous situations, such as driving, they should consult a physician.