Do You Suffer From Sleep Loss Hangovers?

Evidence shows that the effect of shift work on sleep mainly concerns acute sleep loss in connection with night shifts and early morning shifts. A link also exists between shift work and accidents, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. Can you relate to this? Keep reading.

Laboratory studies have indicated that cardiometabolic stress and cognitive impairments are increased by shift work, as well as by sleep loss. Given that the health and safety consequences of shift work and insufficient sleep are very similar, they are likely to share common mechanisms

Being a front line shift worker, I have experienced first hand the consequences of stress and cognitive impairments associated with accumulative sleep deprivation. I know first hand that being sleep deprived and administering narcotic medication is a recipe for disaster. Medication errors are common in high stress healthcare environments without the added consequences of sleep loss.

As shift workers, we are required to work overnight, early mornings or alternate between shifts. These disruptions, especially night work, can have serious consequences for the sleep and wake states, also known as Circadian Rhythm. The additional consequences also include what I call Sleep Loss Hangover.

Sleep Loss Hangover occurs after completing your shift schedule. When you finally make it to "days off the grid" shift workers are mentally and physically exhausted. Recovery can take days and may be short lived when you get called to return to work to fill in a shift for a team member. 

Signs You Are Sleep Deprived. 

• Always tired
• Easily irritated
• Cannot handle any level of stress
• Easily distracted
• Cannot remember recently learned material
• Changes in your appetite 

• Have my team members double check my work i.e.medications
• I say NO...to working additional shifts
• Try to get in a few naps before going to work
•  I follow a healthy nutrition plan . No processed junk food!
• Try to back off on coffee...ouch! 
• Don't do all the work on your shift(s). You have teammates!