Surely you have ever wondered what it must be like to work at night and build routines that are apparently completely different from the conventional ones governed by a day job and a social and personal life in the afternoon and evening. Many people do not see themselves capable of this type of work, assuming that its physical and psychological implications would be more serious than the benefits it would bring them.
Night work has been a reality present in our society for decades. From medical personnel and their night shifts and emergency services to manufacturing and entertainment workers, many people carry out their jobs as the sun sets on the horizon. However, this work group is not exempt from controversy and questions about its effects on the health and well-being of workers.
The objective of this article is to answer the question: Is it bad to work at night? To do this, we will explore different aspects surrounding this form of employment and examine the possible impacts on both the physical and mental health of those who work at night. We will also consider how this way of working can affect job performance and whether there are ways to mitigate its potential disadvantages.
Night work, a practice that covers a wide range of professions and work sectors, has different implications for the physical and mental health of those who carry it out. To better understand these effects, It is necessary to understand the characteristics of this work modality and its influence on the well-being of workers who follow these schedules.
Night work, despite redundancy, involves carrying out work activities during the hours of darkness, generally between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Employees who work these hours often face a change in their daily routine and exposure to sunlight, which can have significant consequences on your biological clock and the production of melatonin, a hormone involved in the regulation and maintenance of sleep.
One of the main challenges of night work is considering its impact on employees’ physical health.
1. Circadian rhythms and sleep
The circadian rhythm is a biological mechanism that regulates physiological and behavioral processes in an approximate 24-hour cycle; Also coined as the “biological clock”. It is mainly synchronized with sunlight and controls the release of hormones such as melatonin and body temperature. Night work disrupts this natural rhythm, which can result in sleep problems and drowsiness during work.
2. Cardiovascular health
Studies have shown a possible association between night work and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and adverse cardiovascular events. Circadian rhythm disruption and inadequate sleep may contribute to these effects.
3. Metabolic disorders
Working at night has also been linked to an increased risk of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Altered eating patterns and difficulty metabolizing nutrients can contribute to these conditions.
Effects on mental health
In addition to the physical difficulties associated with night work, some studies also highlight the complications it has for mental health:
1. Stress and anxiety
Night workers may experience high levels of stress due to reversing their natural rhythm and adapting to unconventional schedules. Besides, The feeling of social isolation by not sharing schedules with friends and family can increase anxiety.
2. Sleep disorders
Night workers often face difficulty falling asleep during the day due to exposure to light and environmental noises. This can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia and rotating shift work, where some days you work at night and others you don’t, can make these problems even worse.
3. Depression
Some studies have suggested an association between night work and an increased risk of depression. Limited exposure to sunlight and altered hormonal balance could influence this relationship.
4. Social imbalances
Night workers often face difficulties participating in social and family activities, which can affect their psychological and emotional well-being.
Job performance and night work
Night work poses unique challenges in terms of work performance, productivity and safety. Many people are critical of companies that establish these types of schedules due to the consideration of the implications on the health, safety and work-life balance that their employees may experience. Next, we will analyze some of the key aspects related to efficiency and safety in these types of schedules.
Working at night can negatively affect cognitive functions, such as memory, concentration, and decision making. Fatigue and drowsiness can decrease mental acuity, which could impact the quality of work performed.
2. Response speed
Night workers may experience a decrease in response speed and ability to quickly resolve problems. This It is especially worrying in certain professions where quick and accurate decisions are required.
3. Adaptation to nighttime schedules
Some people can adapt better than others to working at night, but in general, it is harder for the human body to adjust to unconventional schedules. This can lead to decreased productivity as the body struggles to sync with the new schedule.
Safety at work
1. Risk of accidents
Drowsiness and fatigue associated with night work can increase the risk of workplace accidents. Workers can make mistakes on critical tasks due to lack of concentration and coordination.
2. Working conditions
In certain night jobs, especially those that require long hours of constant attention, such as in the transportation industry or healthcare, there is a risk of a more stressful work environment at night due to less presence of supervisors and co-workers.
3. Risk to physical health
Night workers who suffer from chronic fatigue and sleep disorders may face an increased risk of workplace accidents or injuries due to their compromised physical and mental state.
Reconcile night work with personal life
Night work can have a very significant impact on the personal, social and family lives of those who perform it. Investing so many hours working at night and resting during the day challenges reconciliation with daily life and emotional well-being. Below, we will explore some challenges night workers face in this regard.
1. Incompatible schedules
Night workers may face difficulty coordinating their schedules with those of their family and friends, limiting the quality time they can spend together. Generally, people work during the day and carry out their daily, personal, social and family lives in the afternoon and evening. In that sense, having a completely reverse schedule compared to our environment can make it difficult to reconcile work life with different vital aspects.
2. Feeling of isolation
Working at night can create a feeling of social isolation, as workers may miss family or social events that occur during the day. As we mentioned in the previous point, adapting routines that are contrary to most people can make it difficult to connect with people due to lack of time to coincide which can in turn lead to a feeling of isolation and lack of social support.
The inversion of schedules can generate tensions in family and couple relationships, especially when one of the members of the couple works at night and the other during the day. Due to the lack of time to maintain quality time with the people around you, they may feel a lack of interest on your part to maintain the relationship or they may think that your schedules are not that difficult to combine.
Recommendations for conciliation
To conclude this article, we are going to propose some recommendations to motivate the reconciliation of work and social, family and personal life for people who work at night. This can pose significant challenges in everyday life, but It does not mean that conciliation is impossible or that working at night is bad in itself. In balance you can find the solution:
1. Open communication
Maintaining open communication with family and friends about work schedules and personal needs can facilitate mutual understanding and support and reduce feelings of isolation and lack of social supports.
2. Set limits
Setting clear boundaries between work time and personal time can help preserve important life moments outside of work. Be aware of those things you don’t want to lose because of a night schedule and you find ways to preserve them.
3. Optimize sleep
Creating an environment conducive to rest during the day, such as a quiet, dark place to sleep, can improve the quality of sleep and reduce fatigue and the chances of further impact on your physical and mental health.
4. Plan social activities
Trying to coordinate social and family events on days off or weekends can help maintain meaningful connections with loved ones.
5. Health care
Prioritizing physical and emotional well-being is essential for night workers. Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and practice relaxation techniques They can contribute to better overall health.
6. Work flexibility
When possible, look for more flexible work options that allow you to adjust your schedule to facilitate work-life balance, or talk to your superiors and co-workers about the possibility of a schedule change.
