Our life routine revolves basically on education and works life, which is why from the early stages to adulthood we are always striving for achievements to be able to make a living when it is time to be an independent individual in the society. However, most of the time people make a living out of their jobs—which should not be the case.
You may have heard of this or may have heard this just now but whatever the case, this shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) affects people who work on different time schedule or work at night. Want to know more about this disorder? Here is your guide to know all about the shift work sleep disorder.
What is shift work sleep disorder (SWSD)?
The SWSD or shift work sleep disorder is a type of sleep disorder which commonly affects individuals that work on an ungodly hour or non-traditional hours typically outside of the time frame between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work day.
Shift work schedules go against the normal people’s internal body clock which later on causes difficulties adjusting in a different sleep-wake cycle, which then results in crucial issues in terms of falling asleep, staying asleep, and sleeping when desired. There is about 20% of the full-time workforce in the US which is involved in some form of shift work and it may equate to the rise of insomniac people.
Symptoms
So, what are the symptoms of shift work sleep disorder? If by chance you are one of the populations that belong in the non-traditional hours shift how would you exactly know that your body is now showing signs of SWSD?
The most common symptoms for this sleep disorder are the excessive sleepiness and the difficulty in sleeping. Other associated symptoms are difficulty concentrating, headaches, or lack of energy. Additionally, there are also other many consequences of SWSD which increases the threats of accidents and work-related errors; Poor coping skills and impaired social functioning; Irritability or mood problems.
The relief of sigh after all of these dreadful symptoms stated is that not every shift worker will suffer from shift work sleep disorder just because they belong in one. About only 10% to 40% shift workers suffer from this sleep disorder so there might still be a probability that you won’t be one of them, just make sure you take care of yourself properly by researching better sleep guide for healthy sleeping or talk to your doctor.
How to Deal with Shift Work Sleep Disorder?
Since most shift workers only achieve sleep 1 to 4 hours less contrary to the non-shift workers that get the ideal hours of sleep, 7-9 hours a day. What an individual shift worker should do is to be willing to make sleep a priority.
With this being said, you can start making healthy sleep a priority by getting enough sleep on days off while practicing good sleep hygiene by planning and arranging a sleep schedule altogether with the avoidance of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
Also, remember not to begin your night shift with sleep deprivation since it will worsen your accumulated lack of sleep. Instead, plan a nap before or during your night shift so that it would improve your alertness throughout your work time schedule. What you could also additionally do is to have an appropriate light exposure during the early part of your shift, and having prescribed sleeping aids as the last resort when difficulty sleeping persists.
Takeaway
Working overtime may seem harmless to you since it may give others or your boss a good impression of your dedication to work. It may also give you the monetary benefits, which of course, everyone would take gladly. However, what you gain through sacrificing your health is really not that good of a sacrifice after all, right?
So, what is the point here really? The point is to be in a pursuit of healthy sleeping amidst the normalization of sleep deprivation in this modern age. That by researching, like the better sleep guide for the best sleep you need; and by being consistent in your pursuit of healthy sleeping, you will pave your way towards a better well-being.
