Working the night shift is unhealthy
March
3
- Image via Wikipedia
A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences now confirms previous theories that being on the night shift is actually an occupational hazard. The findings show that circadian disruption, when a person’s circadian rhythms split off from the regular day-night cycle, cause key metabolic hormones to act crazy.
For instance: When your body’s no longer sleeping when it thinks it should be, it stops producing as much leptin, a hormone that signals a body to stop eating. It also releases more cortisol, a stress hormone that’s been linked to high blood pressure and obesity.
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I am currently working a split shift in a kitchen at a camp in Alberta’s oil patch. I go to work at 4am and finish at 9am, then I return to work at 4pm to 9pm.
My body’s natural rhythym is so messed up and I find myself eating more than usual. Tonight I forced myself to eat half portions of food for dinner. Sleep deprivation is making me feel depressed and that contributes to my desire to eat.