How working on the night shift can affect your health
Working overnight takes a great toll on your health and wellness when it becomes a routine. The inherent sleep deprivation and disruption to the natural circadian rhythm have been substantiated as factors that undermine performance and attentiveness. Even if shifting schedules is not a viable option, it is imperative to comprehend the consequences associated with graveyard shifts, as this knowledge facilitates improved coping strategies.
Disrupted sleep patterns
Interference in your sleep patterns is one of the most evident effects of graveyard shifts. Sleep is essential for your overall health. Your body eliminates toxins, heals injury, and lowers stress as you sleep. Working the night shift disrupts these critical functions. Night shift workers are more likely to experience a sleep deficit and poorer stage two REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Increases risk of cardiovascular diseases
Research suggests that night shift employees have a higher risk of developing ischemic heart disease compared to day workers. Additionally, shift workers have a higher likelihood of engaging in or experiencing lifestyle practices that are significant cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol. There are also reports which showed a correlation between night shift workers and heart attacks.
Increases risk of depression
Reports have shown a direct connection between night shift workers and mental health. The effects of the most stressful work environments are anxiousness, irritation, and anxiety for shift employees. Additionally, chronic fatigue, neuroticism, chronic anxiety, and depression, as well as mood disorders, are things that one may feel at work as a result of constant sleep disruption.
Changes your metabolism
Your hormones control your metabolism to a large extent. For instance, the hormone leptin is essential for controlling your weight, blood sugar, and insulin levels. Working the night shift disrupts the synthesis and movement of this important hormone. This therefore can increase your risk of obesity and diabetes as well as can accumulate and cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and ulcers.
Suppresses melatonin
Working night shifts results in exposure to light during periods of the day when the body is habituated to darkness. Consequently, this inhibits the secretion of melatonin, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep and wakefulness patterns. Subsequently, reduced melatonin levels pose challenges in attaining restful and adequate sleep, impeding the body's ability to recuperate effectively.
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