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Sleep and Shift Work

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Hold on to your seats, shift workers, as the statistics are not too hot. 70% of shift workers have troubles falling asleep! Ouch! Even compared to their daytime colleagues, shiftworkers average 1 to 2 hours less sleep during the week and a whopping 3 to 4 hours less on weekends! HELLO! There is no doubt that most shift workers are suffering from major sleep debt.

Shift workers are reported to take more sick days, have greater gastrointestinal diseases, and higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Some studies indicate shift work may even shorten one's overall life span! Along with shift work, there seems to be a huge decrease in the immune system's ability to fight disease, like viral infections, documented up to 50% less resistance to such infections.

In terms of psychological troubles, shift workers, although making sometimes as much as 30-40% higher pay then their daytime colleagues, have a lower rating on job satisfaction reports. They have a greater likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders. The rates of mood disorders overall are higher!

Amazing!

Shift workers are way more likely to use alcohol to help them fall asleep. The use of caffeine and nicotine is greater to help them maintain alertness. Who can blame them with the hours like many of these hard working folks endure!

Ok, shift work is tough on the body and mind, as the stats clearly indicate. So, what can shift workers do to help them with their sleep? The following are some tips for the shift worker.

• Establish a routine for going to sleep.
  (more in the Stasis Sleep™ Pillow Companion Guide© on this subject)
• Avoid caffeine the closer you get to the end of your shift.
• If you have to drive home with sunlight pounding down on you, which can reset your biological clock wear sunglasses.
• Eat a snack or small mean routinely during your shift, if possible, to keep your body working on something on a consistent basis.
• If you can, expose yourself to bright light during your shift so that your biological clock can be reset and you can regain or remain higher levels of alertness.
• Expose yourself to bright lights before you go to work. You should be able to find lights to help you at your local hardware store. This can help greatly in getting your body working in the right direction. Do not underestimate this approach.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark and allows as little sunlight into your room as possible. Go down to your local store and see if you can find some dark and heavy blankets to put over your windows.
• Talk to your managers and have them ask the head honchos to provide an appropriate environment and rest area if one is not already provided for you and your co-workers. Make a strong case with statistics and studies to show how this will help the companies bottom-line and you should have more luck with this endeavor. Remember it is your health!

Lastly, when you order your own Stasis Sleep™ Pillow(s), read as much as you want with the free book on the topic of sleep with expanded sleep tips that can help you achieve your goal(s)! It is filled with useful and invaluable information to help you get the sleep your mind and body need!

If you have any concerns about your sleep and any health problem, please do not hesitate to see your professional healthcare provider.

Hang in there, and keep up the great work! Many of you are the backbone of America, and there are many of us who appreciate all the hard work you do.

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