Posted by Nick Murphy on December 18, 1997 at 05:21:03:

In Reply to: graveyard shift posted by JBF on December 18, 1997 at 01:59:54:

You are right on the money when you attribute working the graveyard shift to the difficulties you experience trying to sleep during the day. Research has shown that even after working the night shift for years, the human biological timing system, which determines your sleep/wake patterns, remains tuned to a day wake, night sleep pattern. This system governs many physiological functions such as body temperature, hormonal secretions, and cognitive abilities. Night workers typically get 1 or 2 hours less sleep per sleep period even if they are exhausted from staying up all night. This sleep is also less "deep", less restorative and you would wake feeling like you still need more sleep. As a result of not falling into the deep stages of sleep, the sleep is fitful, with many awakenings. This results in shiftworkers "vegetating" though the day waiting to go back to work that night.

There are some simple stratigies you can try to help, but none will provide a true adaptation. Try making your sleep environment as close to simulating a nighttime environment as possible; dark, cool, and quiet. Educate friends and family not to disturb you during this sleep time. Don't eat heavy meals, or drink caffienated beverages for about four hours prior to attempting sleep.

Check out our modest web site at: http://members.tripod.com/~Shiftwork/

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