Do Shift Workers Die Younger?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do shift workers die younger? After 22 years, researchers found that

the women who worked on rotating night shifts for more than five years were up to 11% more likely to have died early compared to those who never worked these shifts

.

How does shift work affect life expectancy?

Shift work is known to

decrease potential lifespan by 10 years

. As such, those who opt to do shift work in order to increase their wage-earning capacity, often lose the benefit when they retire.

Do night shifts make you age?

Abstract. Sleep deprivation and the consequent circadian clock disruption has become an emergent health question being associated with premature aging and earlier chronic diseases onset.

Night-shift work leads to circadian clock misalignment, which is linked to several age-related diseases.

How harmful is shift work?

How do people with shift work have a life?

  1. take moderate exercise before starting work which may increase your alertness during the shift.
  2. keep the light bright;
  3. take regular short breaks during the shift if possible;
  4. get up and walk around during breaks;
  5. plan to do more stimulating work at the times you feel most drowsy;

Do rotating shifts shorten your life?

Now, new research indicates that

inconsistent hours can cut your life short

. A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, which crunched data from 75,000 American nurses over a 22 year period, showed that those who worked in rotating shifts were more likely to die during the course of the study.

How many years does Nightshift take off your life?

Of the women who worked rotating night shifts for

more than six years

, 11 percent experienced a shortened lifespan. Risk of death by cardiovascular disease jumped by 19 percent for those who worked this way for six to 14 years and by 23 percent for those who did so for 15 years or more.

Does overworking make you age faster?

It all adds up to chronic stress and “research is proving that

chronic stress can speed up the cellular aging process in our bodies

, and make us look older than we are,” she adds. So if your job is all about sitting and stressing, take a long, hard look in the mirror.

Is shift work worth the money?


If money is paramount and the overnight shift pays more, it may be worth messing up your internal clock for a bit to boost your paycheck

. On the other hand, if you value your social life and sleep, the day shift may be the better choice.

What is the best shift to work?

So, what is the best shift to work? For most, the

morning shift (approximately 7am-3pm)

is best as it allows for a productive workday whilst not sabotaging time away from your loved ones. It is least likely to negatively impact your health as gaining adequate sleep and vitamin D is achievable for most.

Are 24-hour shifts healthy?


Studies show 24-hour shift work leads to significant wear and tear on workers’ bodies and minds

. Some 60 percent of health-care workers report moderate to severe levels of fatigue, the second highest rate of all industries. 1 Shift workers’ job performance and family life can be heavily impacted by such stress.

What night shift does to your body?

Night shift work

disrupts the body’s circadian rhythms, or 24-hour internal “clock” that controls sleep-wake cycles

. It increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Studies have shown that eating at night, as many nightshift workers do, impairs the body’s ability to process sugar, or glucose.

How do night shift workers stay healthy?

  1. Cluster night shifts together.
  2. Cluster night shifts together. It’s helpful to cluster your shifts together and stick to a night work sleep schedule even on your off days. …
  3. Stick to a routine. …
  4. Get your household on board. …
  5. Practice good sleep hygiene. …
  6. Prioritize sleep. …
  7. Eat healthy. …
  8. Stay hydrated.

How can shift work affect your social life?

Generally, night and rotating shift workers also showed an increased likelihood of mental illnesses [22] and an overall decrease in physical and mental health. Shift work can also affect social and family life, which

can lead to social marginalization and work-family conflict

.

How does shift work affect mental health?

Recent findings: Shift work is associated with considerable impacts on

sleep, depressed mood and anxiety, substance use, impairments in cognition, lower quality of life, and even suicidal ideation

. Pronounced sleep disturbances frequently underlie the mental health consequences of shift work.

How do you survive a 12 hour rotating shift?

  1. Look After #1. …
  2. Get Yourself Organized. …
  3. Prepare to Forget Things. …
  4. Exercise – Differently. …
  5. Bring Food You’re Excited to Eat. …
  6. Find Routine at Work. …
  7. Use Your Breaks Wisely When Working 12-Hour Shifts. …
  8. Make Sleep a Priority.

Does working night shift affect your mental health?

Working the night shift also

has a negative impact on your mental health

. Numerous studies show that the risk of depression and mood disorders increase when you work the night shift.

Can working night shift make you depressed?

A review of studies on night work and mental health by medical researchers indicated that

people who work the night shift have a greater risk of depression

. The increase is a whopping 42 percent.

Is your job killing you?

Is working 12 hours a day healthy?

It’s important to recognize that there can be negative health concerns that come with working a 12 hour shift.

Consistently working long shifts can contribute to sleep disorders, obesity and chronic fatigue

. It can be difficult to get enough sleep or stick to a regular sleep schedule.

What are the most stressful jobs?

For the third year in a row,

enlisted military personnel, firefighter, airline pilot, and police officer

are the four most stressful occupations, according to CareerCast’s annual Most Stressful Jobs report.

Are night shifts unhealthy?

“Shift work, particularly night shifts,

disrupts social and biological rhythms, as well as sleep, and has been suggested to increase the risk of metabolic disorders, including Type 2 diabetes

,” says report co-author Celine Vetter, who is the Director of the Circadian and Sleep Epidemiology at Colorado University.

Is night shift better than day?

Why does night shift get paid more?

Employees who always work third shift and are paid more receive what is called “night pay”

because they do not have a different base pay that is increased during night hours

. Night differential, on the other hand, goes to employees who only occasionally receive extra money for working shifts between certain hours.

Are 12 hour shifts better than 8?

According to Circadian.com, extra rest and recovery time allows you to return to work refreshed and be more productive. In addition,

12-hour shifts allow more time to complete lengthy tasks, which can help you feel satisfied with the amount of work you accomplish at the end of the workday.

How many hours a day is healthy to work?

In the end, scientists generally agree that the ideal daily working time is around

6 hours

, and more concentrated in the morning.

Should I go to first shift?

First Shift


If you’re naturally an early riser and want to have free time in the evening and night, this is usually your best bet

. Or if you have children and need to tend to them before and after school, first shift is a good option.

Does working 3rd shift shorten your life?

Previous studies have shown that working the graveyard shift places you at a greater risk for heart attacks and

may even shorten your life span

. Scientists know that part of the reason may be work that alters natural sleep-wake cycles impacts circadian rhythms, interfering with your body’s physiological rhythms.

Does working night shift affect your mental health?

How can I stay healthy while working night shift?

Does working 3rd shift shorten your life?

Previous studies have shown that working the graveyard shift places you at a greater risk for heart attacks and

may even shorten your life span

. Scientists know that part of the reason may be work that alters natural sleep-wake cycles impacts circadian rhythms, interfering with your body’s physiological rhythms.

Does working night shift affect your mental health?

How can I stay healthy while working night shift?

  1. Cluster night shifts together.
  2. Cluster night shifts together. It’s helpful to cluster your shifts together and stick to a night work sleep schedule even on your off days. …
  3. Stick to a routine. …
  4. Get your household on board. …
  5. Practice good sleep hygiene. …
  6. Prioritize sleep. …
  7. Eat healthy. …
  8. Stay hydrated.

How do you survive a long shift?

  1. Pack your food and eat right. …
  2. Get enough rest. …
  3. Use your breaks wisely. …
  4. Take smart supplements. …
  5. Make friends at work. …
  6. Plan for vacation. …
  7. Adjust your regular days off.
Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.