How to Stay Healthy Working the Night Shift

Night shift jobs may pay more, but working at night can have an impact on your health. Here’s some tips that will keep you healthy while you’re working the night shift.

Know the risks of working nights

Our bodies have natural alarm clocks, called the circadian rhythm. This rhythm tells our body when it’s time to wake up and when to go to sleep. It also helps regulate several of our body’s processes, such as digestion and heart rate.

Disrupting your circadian rhythm can lead to health issues such as weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. This is why maintaining your circadian rhythm and finding a work-life balance is important.

Tips for staying healthy working at night

Prioritizing your health can be difficult in today’s demanding world, so here are some ways you can stay healthy while working long hours:

• Set a sleep schedule: Having a consistent sleeping routine is important to prepare your mind and body for your night shift.
• Limit caffeine consumption: Caffeine can be incredibly useful for people that need a boost of energy at or for work, but remember to limit your intake to avoid crashing.
• Stay hydrated: If you aren’t drinking enough fluids during your shift, you’ll lose energy. Stay awake by keeping your body hydrated throughout the night.
• Exercise: A regular exercise routine worked into your weekly schedule will make you more energized at work and ready to clock in at night. Simply going for a jog or a walk can be very beneficial as well.

With these tips you’re ready to prepare yourself and your body for your next night shift. If you’re looking for more tips on how to stay healthy when working the night shift, check out this post from Mint.