Working in night shift is become common in today’s growing age of technology. Today development in every sector is growing very fast especially in IT sector, BPO, communication,. But with the growth of such sector health of its employees might suffer somehow. Like in a BPO, important services such as medical and emergency care which is usually a 24*7 service Provider, need to have employee for 24*7 in shifts .But the employees who work at night they usually have shift work sleep disorder. Now these day’s it affect a person’s Health, Emotion, and Social life.
How do Night Shifts affect a Worker life?
When most people are already sleeping soundly in their beds, millions of night shift workers are just getting to work. Most people don't think about the additional stress that nurses, law enforcement officers and many other night shift workers experience as a result of working late-night hours. Although many of these workers ensure that important services such as medical and emergency care are available throughout the night, they often suffer from the negative impact that this type of work has on their health and personal lives.
Health
Night shift work can have a significant impact on an individual's health because of the way it affects the body's circadian rhythms. These rhythms fluctuate throughout the day and night to regulate many of the body's biological functions. Night shift work causes these rhythms to be out of sync with their regular timing. As a result, night shift workers sometimes experience sleep problems, fatigue, weight gain and digestive problems. Some of these health problems also lead to chronic diseases. A study published in 2001 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute revealed that female night shift workers have a higher risk of breast cancer as a result of their nighttime exposure to light, which disrupts the production of melatonin.
Emotional
The lack of sleep and fatigue that many night shift workers experience can also cause psychological and emotional problems, including depression, increased tension or irritability and anxiety. Night shift workers might not get the sufficient amount of sleep that their bodies need. Noise, sunlight and other distractions also disrupt their sleep during the day, resulting in chronic sleepiness. Studies have shown that this can lead to depression and the lack of energy needed to engage in a variety of activities that can improve an individual's mood, such as exercising and being outdoors.
Social
The lives of night shift workers can also be severely affected by their work schedules. They experience more problems at home because of the limited time they spend with their children and spouses. Their lack of energy and their health problems can also make it difficult for them to cope with the stress of raising a family and handling marital difficulties. It can also become difficult for them to develop relationships outside of work. They also miss out on other activities like taking their kids to school, volunteering and attending family gatherings.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder:
SWSD (shift work sleep disorder) is a sleep disorder that affects people who frequently rotate shifts or work at night. Schedules of these people go against the body’s natural Circadian rhythm, and individuals have difficulty adjusting to the different sleep and wake schedule. SWSD consists of a constant or recurrent pattern of sleep interruption that results in insomnia or excessive sleepiness. This disorder is common in people who work non-traditional hours, usually between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Symptoms of SWSD:
The most common symptoms of SWSD are insomnia and excessive sleepiness.
Other symptoms of SWSD include:
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Lack of Concentrating
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Headaches
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Lack of energy
What are the consequences of SWSD?
Consequences of SWSD include:
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Increased accidents
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Increased sick leave
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Increased work-related errors
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Increased irritability, mood problems, etc.
