As shift workers we’ve heard it all before – in order to feel healthier and have more energy, we must get more sleep.
But when you work crazy and irregular hours like we do, it’s certainly not an easy thing to do.
However in my quest to help you to become a much healthier and happier shift worker – I want to make sure that you fully understand just how important sleep is.
You see according to research, most adults need between 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night.
But what exactly does “need” mean?
Consider this:
If you’ve been awake for 17 hours straight, then your performance is equivalent to that of someone who has a blood alcohol-level of 0.05%?
Now that’s the legal blood alcohol limit for driving in many countries around the world!
So, getting 5 hours or less sleep a night (as many of us do far too often) – is just like being drunk.
Need more proof on how sleep can save your life?
Studies in Canada revealed that when clocks were put back at the start of daylight savings – there was a dramatic fall in the number of road accidents.
Pretty scary isn’t it?
So whatever you do – don’t make your sleep deprivation worse by running on little sleep day after day, week after week, year after year.
Stop and take stock of your sleeping habits right now.
Allowing your bodies to get at least 7 hours a sleep a night on a consistant basis is a BIG ask for anybody – and especially so if you’re a shift worker.
But even if can just manage to do it a couple of times a week – then it’s certainly better than not being able to do it at all.