Optimising sleep for night shifts

摘要

Night shift work occurs during the period of the sleep-wake cycle ("arcadian phase") programmed for sleep. Alertness, cognitive function, psychomotor coordination, and mood all reach their lowest point between 3 am and 5 am After the shift, workers must rest during the circadian phase least conducive to sleeping, which compounds fatigue and can lead to chronic sleep disturbance. A recent systematic review linked night shift work with an increased risk of sleep loss, occupational accidents, obesity and weight gain, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. In a 2017 survey of 2231 UK trainee anaesthetists, more than 70% reported that fatigue affected their physical and psychological wellbeing. Fifty seven per cent described an accident or near-miss travelling home from night shifts. Performance on night shift declines with age, and recovery time is extended. This article aims to provide sleep management skills for the individual.