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The Effects of Shift Work on the Body

Working in itself can be highly stressful, but shift-work -- work that is scheduled outside the normal 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours -- can be harmful to the body. One out of six employees works other than regular day hours and it affects their physical and mental well-being.

  1. Obesity

    • Shift work can cause obesity and high cholesterol . Because of hours or jobs in which employees sit for hours , shift workers tend to have a poorer diet, less access to wholesome foods and limited time to exercise according to the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. workbook "Shiftwork: Heath Effects and Solutions."

    Fatigue

    • Shift work can lead to chronic fatigue and shift work sleep disorder. Shift work sleep disorder affects people who frequently rotate shifts or work at night. Schedules of these people go against the body's natural Circadian rhythm, and individuals have difficulty adjusting to the different sleep and wake schedules. SWSD consists of a constant or recurrent pattern of sleep interruption that results in insomnia or excessive sleepiness. This disorder is common in people who work nontraditional hours, usually between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Depression

    • Shift work could lead to stress and depression. Working nights can cause employees to have limited contact with family and friends, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Working at night and sleeping in the day can make it hard to form routines or take part in enjoyable and relaxing activities.

    Danger

    • Being overly tired makes it difficult to concentrate, which increases the possibility of errors

      or accidents during shift-work. This can be a risk both to the worker and to the public depending on the job according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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