Originally published October 17 2005
Foundation studies the impact of sleep changes on workers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The National Sleep Foundation released figures in its latest report that 10 to 20 percent of workers say they have fallen asleep on shift.
Sleep Sleep is an important function for all living things.
In the evening hours, the brain releases a hormone, called melatonin, which signals the body to get ready for sleep.
The brain cycles through several phases of sleep, moving from light sleep to deep sleep and REM sleep (marked by rapid back-and-forth movement of the eyes), then back to light sleep again.
Sleep-deprived people tend to be less alert, have slower reaction times, and have poorer memory.
Research also shows sleep debt can interfere with the ability of the body to process carbohydrates and balance hormones, interfering with blood glucose levels (similar to a pre-diabetic state) and increasing the risk of obesity.
The Changing Sleep Cycle As we age, the natural cycle of wakefulness and sleep (called the circadian rhythm) often changes.
This natural desire for sleep is caused by a loss of exposure to sunlight and other sources of bright light during the day.
Some people appear to have a genetic ability to adapt to the unusual sleep cycle.
However, many shift workers must fight the natural desire to sleep at night.
The National Sleep Foundation reports 10 to 20 percent of shift workers say they have fallen asleep on the job.
Adapting to Changing Sleep Needs Shift workers often carry a constant sleep debt because they are unable to fully rest during the daytime hours.
However, sleep experts say there are many ways to increase the ability to sleep - even when sleeping at "odd" hours of the day.
Unplug or turn off the telephone in the bedroom to eliminate sleep-disrupting phone calls.
It's important for shift workers to follow a regular routine similar to one used by those who work during the day.
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