Sleep - It's About Time

How sleepy you are depends largely on how well you've been sleeping, how much sleep you've been getting, and your biological clock.  Scientists have now identified this "clock" as a tiny bundle of cells in your brain that responds to light signals and promotes wakefullness. In combination with other bodily processes, your biological clock can cause you to feel drowsy between midnight and 7 a.m. and again in midafternoon.

Night shift workers often find themselves drowsy at work, followed by having difficulty falling to sleep or staying asleep during the day when their schedule allows sleep.  Their lack of sleep can put them at risk for injury at work or on the road.  Interestingly, night shift workers are more likely to have conditions such as heart disease, digestive disorders, infertility and emotional problems - all of which may be at least partially related to their chronic lack of sleep.

Adapting to new sleep times can be difficult for travelers who cross time zones, resulting in what is known as jet lag.  Jet lag can lead to daytime sleepiness, trouble with falling asleep or staying asleep at night, reduced concentration and irritability.  While it is possible to adjust your biological clock, it can only be shifted by 1-2 hours per day, requiring several days to adjust to a significantly different time zone or different work schedule.  If you are traveling to a new time zone for just a few days, you may want to keep your normal sleep schedule so as not to have to adjust twice in a short period; but if you are moving to a different time zone, you may want to begin shifting to the new time zone a few days before leaving.

Guarding your sleep schedule - ensuring that you are not steadily lacking sleep without being able to recoup your losses - is vital for your health and safety.