Time Matters: The Graveyard Shift – How to Work Shifts Successfully Before You Are 6’ Under

Donald L. McEachron, Ph.D.
Teaching Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University

Background:

Ph.D. in Neuroscience awarded in 1984 from the University of California at San Diego. Returned to the classroom for a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from Drexel University in 2004.

Author of some 60 publications in neuroscience, imaging, human evolution, education and chronobiology

Recently published first of 2-volume set on biological rhythms: Chronobioengineering: Introduction to Biological Rhythms with Applications, Volume 1

Overview:

Humans show numerous legacy effects resulting from their evolutionary heritage. One of these is the critical role played by biological rhythms, especially circadian rhythms, in maintaining health and well-being. The modern urban 24/7 society threatens the stability of these rhythms, resulting in poor physiological and psychological health.

Circadian (Latin; ‘About a Day) rhythms result from internal biological clocks which display a cycle length of close to 24 hours. These clocks are normally reset daily through exposure to the daily cycle of light and dark. When stable – such as when you wake up before the alarm goes off – circadian rhythms promote health, productivity and a sense of well-being. However, shift work – rotating and night shift – can disrupt circadian rhythms by exposing biological clocks to abnormal or unstable light cycles. This can lead to diverse health issues. In this session, we discuss how shift work can lead to health problems/accidents and what can be done to reduce the harm being inflicted.

Tips regarding dark sunglasses, break rooms with blue/green lights and how factories can be designed to assist night shift workers is discussed.

3 Key Points:

1. Stable circadian rhythms promote health, productivity and well-being
2. Shift work can lead to unstable circadian rhythms, generating health issues, including sleep disorders, gastrointestinal complaints, cardiovascular problems, psychiatric syndromes and perhaps even cancer.
3. The innovative use of light and scheduling may assist in reducing the harmful effects of shift work.