What Are The Factors That Are Associated With Shift Work?

If you are in rotating shifts, problems arise due to the disturbance in circadian rhythm.

Sleep/wake cycle is the major circadian rhythm involved.

The other major problem is social isolation of those people who work at the time while others sleep.

Biological and social problems associated with shift work:

If you are a shift worker, you can face physical problem of peptic ulcer eight times that of the normal worker. Shift workers also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. [Shift Work and Heart Diseases]

The other physical problems that you can experience are excessive sleepiness, chronic fatigue, and difficulty in sleeping.

Divorce rates are also increased due to rotating shifts. If you are in rotating shifts, you are at increased risk of substance abuse and depression. You will also feel that your job is stressful. Due to shift work, accidents also increase.

Factors that cause problems in shift work:

Many body functions exhibit circadian rhythm, from the sleep/wake cycle to all of the important organs.

Sleep: Sleep is one of the important factors which have to be scheduled to prevent problems in shift work. Your sleep patterns follow a circadian rhythm.

You are more likely to sleep when the temperature is low that is in the early morning hours and are likely to awaken when the temperature starts to rise at 6 a.m.

Social factors: Social factors of shift worker are also important. If you are sleeping in daytime after completing your night shift, your sleep can be disturbed by surroundings.

Some of the family members talk louder in phone near you, some may play near you, and some of them watch television with loud sound.

Family members should understand that shift workers need a calm and quiet place to sleep because their schedule will be different from others. You have to plan your sleep schedule depending on your work hours and explain to all your family members about your sleep schedule.

Shift length: Most shift workers work for two primary shifts of 12 hours each with additional double coverage shifts. The shift length should be shortened to eight hour shift. If you are adapting too many night shifts in a row, shorter shifts are advantageous.

You can also consider changing shifts at different times. Shift workers work from 2 am to 10 am, 10 am to 6pm, and 6 pm to 2 am. With this shift system, you can get sleep during normal sleep time. You can also vary the shift lengths depending on the shift.

Changes in daily habits such as short night sleep can disturb your circadian rhythm. Follow a consistent sleep schedule daily to prevent problems that are associated with shift work. Do not change the shifts regularly because your body needs time to accustom to new sleep schedule immediately.