A doctor has issued a warning about work, claiming humans are “not designed” for a specific schedule. According to the expert, shift work can take a toll on your physical health.
Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast No Appointment Necessary, Doctor Amir Khan issued some advice for anyone who works shifts. Dr Amir, who is best known for his appearances on ITV, said: “Our bodies are not evolved to do shift work.
“Shift work is a modern thing that’s been thrust upon us – part of capitalism that has been thrust upon us that sees us more as functional units, rather than actual human beings.” He explained that the body is not built for the inconsistency that comes with shift patterns.
“So there is no easy answer to shift work, your body’s not designed to do shift work, your body’s not designed to stay up all night one week and then work days the next week,” he continued. “You know I did a year and a half of A&E and I was doing shift work and I was trying to get sleep where I can but it is hard.”
Part of his advice included sleeping “when you can”. He said: “And I genuinely do not have the answer to that apart from sleeping when you can. It is always better to get into a rhythm and some people really like working nights and then sleeping through the day and having the day to do the stuff that they might want to do as well later on.”
Ideally he recommended working regular shifts. Dr Amir said: “If you can work consistently one shift for a period of time where your body can get into a rhythm, that is better than switching and changing all the time but natural daylight, if you’re missing that, that has its benefits as well.
“So it’s pros and cons, the long and short of it is, we’re not designed to do shift work.” In the video’s caption on the podcast’s Instagram post, it added: “Shift work might be normal… but it’s not natural.
“Dr Amir Khan explains why constantly switching between nights and days can seriously affect your body, sleep and health.”
View 3 Images“Your body’s not designed to do shift work,” Dr Amir said(Image: Getty)
His advice is supported by information from the team at UCLA Health in the US. On its website, the organisation noted that shift work can have a “long-term” impact on health and wellbeing.
It said: “The biggest health challenge facing shift workers is the interruption of circadian rhythm – your body’s physical, mental and behavioural processes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythms are influenced mainly by light and darkness.
“Shift work – especially at night – often disturbs the body’s systems regulated by circadian rhythm, including the sleep/wake cycle. The more years you work a shift schedule, the higher your risk of chronic health issues.”
Some of these health issues include:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Mental health disorders
- Metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
UCLA added: “According to research, night-shift workers are three times more likely to suffer from a shift-related sleep disorder than people who work a day shift. Recognising the signs and getting treatment for a sleep disorder may help you avoid associated physical and mental health issues.”
View 3 ImagesPart of his advice included sleeping “when you can”(Image: Getty)
The team at UCLA recommended that you focus on the following if you’re a shift worker:
- Eating habits: eat high-quality, whole food whenever possible, and do not eat between midnight and 6am to maintain typical eating patterns.
- Sleeping better: adopt sleep strategies designed for shift workers that align with your individual needs, work schedule and home environment
- Maintaining relationships: Eat at least one meal with your family daily. Schedule time weekly to catch up with friends, either in person or by video chat