Introduction:
Working time scheduling is a significant problem in work organizations because it is the fundamental condition that connects human capabilities with production resources. As new technologies have been developed and fundamental services have been extended to the general public, this issue has grown in importance in recent years, requiring ongoing human help and management of the work processes during the 24-hour workday. This problem is also linked to the growing economic competitiveness between nations and firms. It enhances the intensive and extensive use of productive systems. In this article, we will go over the impacts of shift work on health.
What Is Rotational Shift Work?
Rotational shift work refers to a variety of work patterns in which shifts alternate or change within a specified timetable. These shifts could be continuous (all day, every day) or semi-continuous (two or three shifts each day, with or without weekends). All shifts are part of a certain system and are changed by workers. Rotational shift work does not include fixed shifts like straight nights, straight afternoons, or straight days. A shift can last between 8 and 12 hours. The prolonged workday includes 10 to 12 hour shifts that raise potential disruption and difficulties to the families and social lives.
What Exactly Are Circadian Rhythms?
Several physiologic functions in humans have a daily rhythm or a 24-hour cycle. These cycles are known as circadian rhythms. This 24-hour cycle controls a variety of vital body processes and human behavior, including digestion, adrenaline secretion, body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. There is a high level of activity during the day and a reduction in activity at night as a result of the coordination of these rhythmical processes.
What Are the Impacts of Shiftwork on Circadian Rhythms?
The body employs indications from its functions and the outside world, such as clock time, social interactions, the light or dark cycle, and meal times, to keep the various rhythms. For example, body temperature peaks in the afternoon and early evening, while it decreases in the morning. The body temperature does not fluctuate as much throughout 24 hours as it would typically if the person were to work at night.
Some rhythms alter within two to three days, while others take longer. Individuals adjust to new schedules at varying rates, as do various rhythms. Because most people return to a "normal" day schedule on their days off, a complete reversal of circadian rhythms might never happen. Chronic fatigue and other health issues might result from schedule disruptions that occur frequently and from circadian rhythm disruption.
What Are the Changes in Sleep Patterns Among Shift Workers?
In shift work, especially when night work is involved, disruption of both the quantity and quality of normal sleep is unavoidable. Daytime sleep is rarely as deep or as refreshing as night-time sleep. The problem becomes worse if there is no calm, dark, and comfortable location to sleep. When a worker gets home in the morning, sleep may still be difficult or unrefreshing even if disruptions are eliminated. This problem arises when the circadian rhythms are no longer in sync. Shift workers frequently complain about continual fatigue.
What Are the Impacts of Shiftwork on Psychological and Mental Health?
Shift employees complain of irritability, nervousness, and anxiety as a result of more demanding working conditions and greater challenges in home and social life. Workers may have chronic fatigue, mood disturbances, neuroticism, chronic anxiety, or depression as a result of persistent circadian rhythm disruption and sleep deficiencies. It can also increase absenteeism and require the use of psychotropic medications like sedatives and hypnotics.
Compared to daytime workers, rotating shift workers and night shift workers are more likely to experience digestive and gastrointestinal issues like indigestion, heartburn, stomachaches, and appetite loss. Loss of appetite at night frequently results in increased snacking on "junk" food rather than eating a complete, well-balanced dinner. The worker may drink caffeine-containing beverages like coffee and cola to keep awake when they are feeling tired.
What Are the Effects on Women’s Reproductive Function?
The menstrual cycle is a well-known monthly hormonal rhythm in humans, and it, along with circadian rhythms, can be disrupted by rotating shift workers. Premenstrual syndrome, irregular menstrual cycles, and menstrual symptoms have been linked to a higher occurrence in several groups of women shift workers, including nurses, flight crews, and blue-collar employees. Some studies also found an increased rate of miscarriage and fetal development issues, such as preterm birth and low birth weight.
What Are the Cardiovascular Disorders Associated With Shift Workers?
Shift work is not always linked to cardiovascular disease. However, it has been found that blood pressure and heart rate exhibit circadian rhythmicity. The health of an individual can be directly impacted by lifestyle. As a result, shift workers need to follow exercise plans if they want to keep up a sufficient level of fitness. Furthermore, it is essential to avoid smoking, practice healthy eating habits, and engage in recreational activities.
What Are the Metabolic Disorders Associated With Shift Work?
Many recent studies have found a higher incidence of nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in shift workers, including overweight and obesity as well as increased triglycerides and total cholesterol (with lower HDL-cholesterol) blood levels in shift workers engaged in night work. This could be caused by various factors, including the mismatch of circadian rhythms, sleep, and digestion disorders, changes in daily living (e.g., quality and timing of meals, snacking, unbalanced nutrition), and disrupted socio-temporal patterns, such as work and non-work conflict and related higher stress levels.
What Are the Social Problems Associated With Shift Work?
Shift work also significantly disrupts family and social relationships, which can lead to psychological stress and psychosomatic illnesses. Shift workers may have more trouble balancing their professional and social lives because most family and social events are scheduled to fit in with the general population's day-oriented rhythms. The complexity of the family (such as the number and age of children, cohabiting individuals), individual responsibilities such as school and housekeeping, and the accessibility of community resources may make it challenging to coordinate with family timetables.
What Are Some Strategies for Improvement?
The greatest solution to shift work concerns is to remove it, although this is not always a viable option. There are two fundamental levels where development is possible:
-
The Individual Level - promotes healthy eating, improved sleep, and stress reduction among employees.
-
The Organizational Level - primarily through creating better facilities, education, and shift patterns.
What Can the Person Do to Manage Shift Work?
Individuals who work shifts deal with a variety of issues that others may not notice. The issues are caused by altered sleeping, eating, and working schedules. The advice provided below can aid in improving coping.
-
Diet and Eating Patterns:
-
Keep your eating habits consistent as much as you can. Meals should be well-balanced and diverse. Even though the job schedule is continuously changing, stick to the same mealtimes with the family.
-
Afternoon workers should eat their major meal in the middle of the day rather than in the middle of their work shift. Night shift workers should consume light meals throughout their shifts and a moderate breakfast.
-
Eat a typical variety of vegetables, fruit, lean meat, chicken, fish, dairy products, cereals, and bread along with plenty of water.
-
During work breaks, eat crackers, almonds, and fruit instead of pop and candy bars.
-
Limit your intake of alcohol, coffee, and salt. Avoid eating oily foods, especially late at night.
-
Avoid using antacids, tranquilizers, and sleeping medications excessively. It is better to watch what you eat and when you eat it, and to utilize relaxation techniques to help you sleep.
-
Eat slowly and give your body time to digest.
-
-
Sleep
-
Sleeping at regular intervals helps develop a habit and to make daytime sleep more manageable.
-
Some individuals would prefer to have a full night's sleep right before starting the next shift. To determine which is best for you, experiment with various work and sleep schedules.
-
Make sure the worker's family and friends are aware of and respectful of their demands for sleep. The shift worker must have a cozy, silent, dark location to sleep during the day. It is advised to have adequate window shades and air conditioning.
-
Employ mental imagery to distract yourself from unwanted ideas. After an hour, if you are still having trouble sleeping, try reading a book or listening to some soothing music on the radio.
-
Schedule your sleep time for later in the day if you are still having trouble falling asleep. Reduce responsibilities in the afternoon to make time for naps.
-
-
Other Important Considerations:
-
Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and general physical fitness.
-
Learn about and comprehend any possible negative consequences that working shifts may have on health and safety.
-
By staying physically active and using relaxation techniques, you can learn to identify and manage stress.
-
Consider leisure carefully.
-
Conclusion
Shift work is a risky situation because it disrupts psycho-physical homeostasis such as the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms, as well as family and social life. Shiftwork is also a risk factor for a variety of health diseases, including gastrointestinal, psychoneurotic, cardiovascular, reproductive, and likely cancer disorders. Due to this, it is essential to look beyond health protection and adopt a health promotion perspective to preserve the overall health of shift workers. Hence, a systemic approach must be used to address the various domains including physio-pathology, psychology, sociology, ergonomics, economics, politics, and ethics that can affect outcomes and address solutions in the best possible ways.
