Irregular Sleep Cycles can pose a Serious Health Risk

In an ideal world, everyone would get a full eight to nine hours of sleep daily. With the demands of work, however, that is not always possible. Some people are getting by with much less and rely on external stimulants, such as coffee and energy drinks to help them get through the day.

For people who work night or rotating shifts, the implications of a lack of rest may be even worse. Studies have long shown that the body is more naturally alert during the day. This is when the brain releases hormones and other chemicals to keep the body stimulated. Following a sleeping pattern that is out of sync with your body’s internal biological clock can have adverse health effects.

According to a study published in the Science Translational Medicine, over 20 participants were allotted a sleep time of six and a half hours during a 28-hour period. The sleep, however, would occur at different times of the day. This was done in an attempt to simulate what someone working a rotating shift would go through. This was followed by a recovery period in which the participants were allowed to sleep for nine hours at the usual time.

The results showed that sleep restriction combined with irregular sleeping hours lead to a decrease in the participant’s natural resting metabolic rate, which can contribute to weight gain. Furthermore, the study also showed that glucose levels increased in the blood after eating, which can increase the risk for diabetes.

Getting sleep in the right amount and at the right time is important for long-term health and well-being. However, this does not mean that you are doomed if you have to work a rotating shift. Some experts suggest that you can still maintain a healthy rhythm by exercising and modifying your diet. This will improve the quality of your sleep regardless of what time you go to bed.

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