Jun 23, 2011 4 min read

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,

the unemployment rate continued to hover around 9 percent as

recently as February of this year. With more than 13 million people

still unemployed, the impact of unemployment remains fresh on the

minds of many. Forced lifestyle changes, home foreclosures and

families fighting to stay together are just a few of many

well-known side effects of a poor economy that is only gradually

recovering.

One lesser known side effect of the sagging economy

could be the negative impact it’s having on the sleeping patterns

of millions of men and women. In an effort to find any job that can

help pay the bills or even keep their existing jobs, more and more

men and women are willing to work any available shifts. This has

caused men and women accustomed to a standard work schedule, be it

9 to 5 or 4 to 12 or overnight, to rotate work shifts. Men and

women used to working 9 to 5, for instance, are finding themselves

increasingly open to accepting a night shift one day and a day

shift the next, all in an effort to land or keep a job.

While this flexibility is understandable, it could

be making individuals more susceptible to a sleeping disorder known

as Shift Work Sleep Disorder, or SWSD. SWSD can affect people who

frequently rotate shifts or work at night. Such changes go against

the body’s natural circadian rhythm, and men and women often

struggle to get a decent night’s sleep as a result.

The American Sleep Association notes that the

circadian rhythm operates on a nearly exact 24 hour cycle,

governing when the body should feel tired or alert and when a

person should eat and perform other tasks. This is a natural cycle,

and one that exists in plants and animals as well. When this rhythm

is consistently interrupted, as it is when a person frequently

rotates shifts at work, the side effects are numerous and can make

it very difficult for men and women to function properly.

Symptoms of SWSD

The most common symptoms of SWSD are excessive

tiredness and insomnia. When a person is excessively tired, no

aspect of their life is likely to go unaffected. A person dealing

with SWSD will have difficulty concentrating and lack energy. This

is especially troubling, as shift work positions exist in nearly

every sector and often demand a worker’s concentration and

alertness. Manufacturing positions, which often put workers’ lives

in danger, are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of

shift work jobs. However, doctors, nurses, police officers, and

firefighters are additional professions that utilize shifts.

Excessively sleepy doctors who are struggling to concentrate can be

a frightening prospect, as is an auto plant worker who’s struggling

to stay focused on the job.

Side Effects of SWSD

An increase in accidents is one of the major side

effects of SWSD. It only stands to reason that an excessively tired

worker, whatever his or her profession, may be more prone to

accidents.

Another side of SWSD is irritability and mood

problems. Men and women who are not getting adequate sleep are more

likely to be irritable and moody.

Dealing With SWSD

The sagging economy has forced many people to

accept SWSD. After all, many are willing to sacrifice a good

night’s sleep in order to keep a roof over their family’s heads and

food on the dinner table. However, men and women who plan to

continue rotating shifts or taking overnight shifts need to

recognize the importance of making sleep a priority. The American

Sleep Association recommends people consult their doctor or a sleep

specialist for advice of reducing the effects of circadian rhythm

sleep disorders.

Another approach is to consult family members and

ask for their help in creating a quiet and peaceful setting in

which you can sleep. In homes with young children, this can include

informing children that the house must remain quiet while Mom or

Dad are asleep. This involves avoiding noisy activities like

vacuuming, washing dishes or hosting guests.

SWSD has become a reality for men and women forced

to work any shift to support their household in a trying economic

time. To learn more about SWSD, visit the American Association at

www.sleepassociation.org. MT115811