About 20 percent of shift workers suffer from sleep disorders due to their work disorders, according to a new study by the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (TTL).
The study found that people with sleep disorders recover more slowly on holidays, and up to half may be constantly tired in their spare time as well.
Investigator Päivi Vanttola TTL representatives who worked on the study stressed the importance of nailing the causes of insomnia.
"Just like day workers, the insomnia and fatigue of shift workers can be due to an underlying illness, life situation or stress in the workplace," Vanttola said.
Shift work causes disruption
A study by Vanttola found that many shift workers suffer from insomnia or chronic fatigue and if problems persist, they may develop a work shift disorder (SWSD).
The study also found that patients with SWSD were less relaxed before going to bed, slept longer, and had poorer sleep quality than those without the disorder.
According to the study, just three late or overnight shifts a month can increase persistent fatigue even outside of work hours.
At Aorund, one in five people works shift work in Finland and unusual working hours are becoming more common
In 2015, according to the European Working Conditions Survey, 27 per cent of women and 19 per cent of men in Finland worked regularly in shifts
"Minimizing the number of night and early morning shifts and providing sufficiently long recovery periods can alleviate the symptoms of many people with shift disorders." Vanttola said.
Source: The Nordic Page