Pulling graveyard shifts or constantly rotating between day and night schedules can take a major toll on your mind and body. While shift work is sometimes unavoidable, it's important to be aware of the potential health consequences
Shift work forces you to be awake when your body wants to sleep, throwing this cycle out of whack. This persistent misalignment can really mess with your physical and mental health over time
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Shift workers often don't get enough restorative sleep, either due to sleeping during daylight hours or not having consistent sleep schedules. raises risks of obesity, heart disease, and mood disorders
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Working overnight or irregular hours disrupts the regularity of your digestive system. This can lead to problems like heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal distress
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Fatigue and excessive sleepiness from lack of sleep make shift workers much more prone to accidents, especially driving accidents due to impaired reaction times.
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Shifting schedules throw off the body's hunger cues and metabolic processes. Many shift workers tend to snack more, crave unhealthy foods, and exercise less - a recipe for weight gain
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The chronic circadian disruption and physiological stresses of shift work are risk factors for anxiety, depression and other psychological issues.
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Numerous studies link shift work to higher rates of metabolic disorders like diabetes, as well as heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers over time.
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Being on a different schedule than family and friends can cause isolation and tension. Shift work makes it harder to participate in social activities.
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