Circadian Health Glossary
Shift Work
Shift work refers to any work schedule that falls outside of traditional daytime hours (typically 9 am to 5 pm). This can include evenings, nights, weekends, or combinations of these. Employees who participate in shift work are essential for keeping businesses and services running 24/7, such as hospitals, factories, emergency services, and customer service centers.
The Pros and Cons of Shift Work
The Advantages of Shift Work
The Disadvantages of Shift Work
However, the cons of shift work, particularly in relation to sleep, are significant. The irregular hours associated with shift work can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disorders such as insomnia and excessive sleepiness during waking hours. This disruption can result in chronic fatigue, which not only affects one’s health and well-being but also increases the risk of accidents and errors at work. Additionally, shift workers may struggle to find a sleep schedule that allows them to have restful, uninterrupted sleep, further compounding their risk for long-term health issues.
How Can Light Therapy Help You Here?
Shift work can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule, leaving you feeling tired during your work hours and wide awake when you should be sleeping. Here’s how light therapy can be a helpful tool in fixing these sleep problems:
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Through light therapy glasses, they can help you reset your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
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Light therapy helps you with melatonin regulation. This light signal suppresses the production of melatonin. By keeping melatonin levels low during the day, light therapy helps you feel more alert and awake during your work hours.
Click here to learn more about how you can adjust your circadian rhythm.