Sleep and Shift Working - Part Two
Shift work takes an additional toll on our bodies and minds which means we need to pay extra attention to planning
Available as:
- Interactive workshop – maximum 20 participants, duration 90 minutes
- Lunch ‘n’ learn – no maximum participants, duration 60 minutes
- Animated video voiced by professional actors with homework sheet, duration 25 minutes (for your intranet or as part of the healthy work vault)
- SCORM file (E-learning module) for your learning management system
What does the Course aim to achieve?
This course comes with a sleep plan for participants to complete and can be linked to your policies and procedures. It should be looked at after having completed the “Basics of Sleep.”
Shift work takes an additional toll on our bodies and minds which means we need to pay extra attention to planning.
It looks at the relationship between stress and fatigue, the risks we are running by not taking extra care of our sleep routine, the signs of extreme fatigue and the areas we can control when it comes to shift working such as meal planning, napping and timing of sleep.
It aims to motivate your teams to make small, simple changes which will greatly improve their wellbeing.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge of:
- The impact of shift working on our physical and mental health
- The dangers of fatigue
- The relationship between stress and fatigue
- Small practical changes we can make
- Planning for shift work sleep
The Impact of Shift Work
Shift work refers to any work schedule that falls outside the traditional 9-to-5 workday. This can include working overnight, early morning, or evening shifts. Sleep and shift working, on the other hand, refers specifically to the challenges that workers face when trying to maintain healthy sleep habits while working shift schedules.
Shift work can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms, which can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep during the day or night. This can lead to a variety of sleep-related problems, such as insomnia, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating.
In addition to disrupting sleep, shift work can also have negative impacts on overall health. Studies have linked shift work to an increased risk of various health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. Shift workers may also be at increased risk of workplace accidents and injuries due to decreased alertness and impaired cognitive function.
To mitigate the negative effects of shift work on sleep and overall health, it is important for workers to take steps to establish healthy sleep habits. This may include creating a dark and quiet sleep environment, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, and getting regular exercise. Employers can also take steps to support shift workers, such as providing access to healthy food options, creating quiet areas for rest breaks, and offering flexible scheduling options when possible.