Is working permanent night shift bad for your health ?

Person_one

I have to say, now that I work shifts myself I am consumed with guilt about not letting my poor dad sleep enough after his night shifts when I was a child.

I think it all depends on how well you can sleep during the day. Blackout curtains, phones turned off and earplugs can help recreate 'nighttime' sleeping conditions.

It is wickedly lovely to see all the daytime workers scurrying through town in the morning clutching coffees and looking cold and bleary eyed when you're on your way to a comfy warm bed!

ariba10

It is wickedly lovely to see all the daytime workers scurrying through town in the morning clutching coffees and looking cold and bleary eyed when you're on your way to a comfy warm bed![/QUOTE]


And on a cold winters morning when you get into bed and the "Lea of Bum Island" and get a grip, the screams could be heard two streets away.

Dreamscometrue

ariba10 wrote: »

It is wickedly lovely to see all the daytime workers scurrying through town in the morning clutching coffees and looking cold and bleary eyed when you're on your way to a comfy warm bed!

And strangely they look worse than those on night shift even though they've not been out of bed long!

ashaput

Have no idea of how taking permanent night shift could damage your body. One thing I know we are not created to be a nocturnal creature. But I think if you can take care of your body and mental everything would be okay.

dickydonkin

Person_one wrote: »

It is wickedly lovely to see all the daytime workers scurrying through town in the morning clutching coffees and looking cold and bleary eyed when you're on your way to a comfy warm bed!

I agree!

But those bu**ers have the last laugh when they are off to the pub just when you are leaving home for work of an evening!:(


As for the original question - when I worked shifts, everyone did their own thing after a night shift.

Some would have a couple of beers when they got home, others would go for a walk and/or have breakfast, I would go straight to bed and I did find that I would wake up around the same time every day.

I don't think I could work shifts now however, certainly not permanent nights as many people do although I appreciate that for those people, that routine may suit their lifestyle.

Dreamscometrue

http://onlinemakale.dusunenadamdergisi.org/pdf/dusunenadam/1122011181223-4-3.pdf

patricia50

I did permanant nights for over 12 years and it does your health no good. Its much harder to sleep in the day and your quality of sleep is not as good. I would compare the way you feel as like having jetlag a lot of the time. No matter how you try your sleep pattern gets shot to pieces. I did 4 nights on 4 off. When I started my health was fine, when I left had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. I'm not saying nights caused this but I think the way it affects your body contributed to it.

pineapple

I used to work nights for the local health trust. The research does point to a statistical detrimental effect on health. That's why your employer is legally obliged, under the Working Time Regulations, to offer a free annual health check to night workers.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10028519
You may think you are managing it but the fact is it could be having a gradual effect on your health.
It sounds silly but the advice is to wear wrap around dark glasses at first light - so that daylight does not get into your eyes before you go to bed. And yes you do look a prat if waiting to be replaced by the morning shift!

Dreamscometrue

pineapple wrote: »

I used to work nights for the local health trust. The research does point to a statistical detrimental effect on health. That's why your employer is legally obliged, under the Working Time Regulations, to offer a free annual health check to night workers.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10028519
You may think you are managing it but the fact is it could be having a gradual effect on your health.
It sounds silly but the advice is to wear wrap around dark glasses at first light - so that daylight does not get into your eyes before you go to bed. And yes you do look a prat if waiting to be replaced by the morning shift!

Unfortunately I'm not covered by those regulations and I could be booted out quickly if I brought that up.

I agree about wearing sunglasses but would feel a prat going against the tide of suit-wearing commuters in wrap arounds!:o

Dreamscometrue

patricia50 wrote: »

I did permanant nights for over 12 years and it does your health no good. Its much harder to sleep in the day and your quality of sleep is not as good. I would compare the way you feel as like having jetlag a lot of the time. No matter how you try your sleep pattern gets shot to pieces. I did 4 nights on 4 off. When I started my health was fine, when I left had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. I'm not saying nights caused this but I think the way it affects your body contributed to it.

Over 12 years, OMG!!! :eek: Wow, and I'm complaining!