Challenging schedules can make it difficult to get the right amount and quality of sleep.
Whether you work 12-hour shifts, rotate shifts, or work an evening or overnight shift, that schedule can confuse your body’s natural function. Why is that?
Melatonin is a hormone produced by your body that puts the body and mind in a quiet state, promoting restful sleep.
Darkness prompts the body to produce melatonin, preparing us for sleep.
Light suppresses melatonin production and promotes wakefulness.
(This is why, even under normal schedules, it’s important to avoid extra light from TV, phones and other electronics before bed.) among other things, produces sleepiness.
When you are awake and working at night, and then trying to sleep during daylight, the body’s natural melatonin cycle is disrupted.
This can make it hard for you to have a natural sleep pattern, makes falling asleep difficult and reduces your overall quality of sleep.
Use these strategies to help manipulate your melatonin to give you better quality sleep:
This information is for health improvement and injury prevention only. It does not constitute medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. If you have an injury or medical concern, please consult your healthcare provider. Please call 911 with a medical emergency.
