Shift Work Sleeping Overview

Shift work sleeping disorder is a circadian rhythm disorder that causes sleep deprivation as a result of doing shift work. It's not uncommon for people to experience sleep problems when they work irregular, long, or night shifts. When this happens, it is called shift work sleep disorder.

Not everyone who works outside of the typical M-F, 9-5 shift develops this disorder, but it a frequent occurrence for people living Alaska given the relatively high number of shift work occupations here.

Stay safe on the road

Many people have felt that scary feeling of drifting slightly to sleep while driving, only to perk up with a start. Or that scary feeling of hearing though warning on the side rumbling your tires. Especially for shift workers, sleeping at the wheel is one of the main causes of death.

If you drive often, work as a commercial truck driver, or have a longer commute, these tips and tricks could be highly useful for you

Overview of Shift Work Disorder

Shift work sleeping disorder, also known as shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), is a disruptive circadian rhythm disorder that stems from the demands of shift work. While not everyone who works non-traditional hours experiences this disorder, it is common enough among those who work irregular, long, or night shifts to warrant its own classification.

SWSD causes sleep deprivation, leading to a range of symptoms that align with those of sleep deprivation itself:

• Chronic fatigue
• Mental fogginess
• Insomnia
• Decreased performance in various aspects of life
• Difficulty managing stress
• Lower tolerance for pain
• Chronic irritability or a short temper
• Increased susceptibility to illness

Sleep deprivation poses significant risks, including a decrease in life expectancy, a lower quality of life, and various health complications. In the following sections, we will delve further into the specific risks associated with shift work sleep disorder.

Stay tuned to learn more about the potential consequences of SWSD.

Do you work hours outside of the “typical” 8-5 business day? Do you work days on and then days off? If so, then you are like millions of Americans who are considered shift workers. Especially in Alaska, the summer season often means a large influx of shift work.

• Pilots
• Construction workers
• Police workers
• Doctors and nurses
• Firefighters
• Taxi/Lyft/Uber drivers
• Customer service
• Retail

Do any of these look familiar? While shift work comes with certain perks, such as better pay for similar jobs and the ability to get stretches of time with no work, shift workers are also at a disadvantage when it comes to long-term health and sleep outcomes.

What is Shift Work

Someone who is a shift worker doesn't work typical hours and days. This means either working non-typical hours (8ish-5ish), working rotation work (changing shifts), or working many days on followed by many days off. Especially in Alaska, summer time means a large number of seasonal shift-work jobs.

Shift workers include:

• Pilots
• Construction workers
• Police workers
• Doctors and nurses
• Firefighters
• Taxi/Lyft/Uber drivers
• Customer service
• Retail

Shift work can be beneficial for several reasons: higher pay for less desirable shifts, flexibility with scheduling, and longer periods without work. However, shift work can also make it more challenging for these individuals to have normal sleep schedules. Please continue reading to learn more about what shift work sleep disorder is, and how to overcome it as a shift worker.