Work is something that sustains everything that we need every day. It’s what gives us the means to provide for ourselves, family, and other things that we find important. However, it is also one of the reasons that causes insomnia and why insomnia clinic is very much needed by many career driven individuals or the shift work sleep disorder. Crazy work shift hours greatly affects the normal sleep routine of many and is still affecting more this generation. Amongst the many professions that do not have a fixed schedule are doctors, nurses, police officers, paramedics, firefighters, factory workers, call center agents, security guards, and office cleaners. Their duties are “on call” or irregular shifting schedules, mostly night shifts where they need to stay up while the whole world is snoozing soundly.

INSOMNIA, OR WORK SHIFT SLEEP DISORDER

There are a lot of factors that can cause an individual to have an irregular sleeping pattern. Some of the sleeping conditions that affect workaholics are insomnia, jet lag, excessive daytime sleepiness, and work shift disorder.

Let’s talk about – INSOMNIA. You are aware that insomnia is the dilemma of sleeping and having uninterrupted sleep. People dealing with this kind of sleeping disorder are called “insomniacs”. So if you are one of the many career driven individuals who’s also a certified insomniac, you often feel tired during the day and your productivity suffers. You easily get irritated and feel over fatigued. In the long run, if not treated immediately this condition can lead to depression.

Now, let’s have – SHIFT WORK (SLEEP) DISORDER. This is the irregular sleep condition experienced by the above-mentioned professions. They can experience the most “crazy” work schedules or the most “absurd” sleeping time due to their career and field of work. They tend to sacrifice or take their “normal” hibernation pattern for granted for the sake of their jobs. Although this condition can apply to anyone, those workaholics who have shift work disorder are more prone to accidents due to lack of sleep and absenteeism.

See the difference between the two? So which one are you?

TIPS TO OBTAIN BETTER SLEEP

Regardless of whether you are an insomniac or having SWSD or dealing with other irregular sleep conditions, here are some tips for you to get the quality and deep sleep you needed.

Avoid taking shifting schedules consecutively. You are more likely to regain sleep if you limit your night shifts and include some day shifts in between your weeks grind.
Commute less. You have no idea how much time you’re consuming more on the road than on your bed. Find ways to invest more time sleeping rather than commuting.
Make sure that your office space is as bright as daytime. Experts say that in order to maintain physical and mental alertness at your workplace, you should be exposed to brighter lights, especially during evening work schedules. Bright lights or a well-lighted sends a signal to the brain and to your body clock that it is still daytime. Therefore, your body can easily adjust when you enter a dim room preparing your system to shut down and sleep.
Ditch caffeine. It is okay to have that fueling coffee before you start your work, but drinking another cup before your scheduled sleep is a big no.
Create and stick to a bedtime and wake time schedule as much as possible.
Limit your human and gadget interaction before you sleep. It’s easier to fall asleep when listening to a calming music with less open lights in your room.
Use heavy or thick curtains to prevent sunlight peek into your room during your daytime snooze time.
Practice a sack time routine. Avoid work-related activities a few hours before you doze off. You should relax your mind and body by either doing breathing exercises, yoga, listening to a relaxing music or aromatherapy.
Unwelcome work in your room or embrace a work-life-sleep balance. Remember that what’s done in the office, should stay in the office and that is WORK in general. When you are spending time with family or friends, make sure that you keep work out of the moment. Once you have mastered that technique, you can easily apply that from separating work from your trip to dreamland.

Some try therapy or consulting medical help to prevent and suppress whatever sleeping disorder condition they are dealing with. The sleep clinic columbia MD and other treatment centers around the globe can surely provide help and method for you still keep yourself workaholic without depriving yourself of a good sleep.