Commonly known as the ’body clock’, the circadian rhythm is an innate cyclical rhythm that regulates many bodily functions automatically throughout the day, and does not require conscious control.There are those that are apparent to us, such as the sleep-wake cycle and the digestive cycle, for which we feel sleepy or hungry when we reach a certain time of the day. There are also those that are not so obvious such as core body temperature and the release of hormones into the bloodstream.

In human beings, this innate rhythm cycles between the duration of 24.2 to 24.9 hours, just slightly longer than a day. This could potentially create a messy situation where we could fall asleep or need to eat at very inconvenient timings, over a period of time. Fortunately, this ’clock’ is synchronised to the 24-hour day by environmental inputs, most importantly by sunlight, as well as by social rhythm such as common meal times, work schedules, and physical exercises.

Genetics largely influence the variations between individuals, hence there are people whom we recognise as ’larks’ (preferring to sleep early in the night) and ’night owls’ (ability to stay up late into the night). Genetics also determines the ability of individuals to adapt to time cues in the daily cycle, and hence the ability to ’tune their clocks’.

With age, this innate rhythm can also change in its cycle length, commonly reflected through changes in sleep pattern as one grows older.

Problems with Circadian Rhythm

It is important that you keep to a regular sleep schedule, as this maintains synchrony of the ‘body clock’ with the demands of social activities and duties. Any situation that desynchronises the circadian rhythm and the social rhythm will result in sleep difficulties as well as problems in maintaining alertness. The most common causes of disruption to circadian rhythm are jet lag and shift work.

Shift Work

Shift workers are people who work non-traditional hours, which may be exclusively at night, or on rotating shifts. They often face problems similar to jet lag, even without crossing time zones. The differences between their ’day’ during which they are working, and the natural day-night cycle has resulted in desynchronised circadian rhythm. While some may have no problems adapting to this demand, many suffer from sleep problems.

They may experience insomnia, and may not get enough sleep during the day as the brain remains active, culminating in sleep deprivation. This eventually leads to wake time sleepiness and impaired work performance. They may have sleep problems even on their days off.

The main objective of managing shift work sleep problems is to try to resynchronise the circadian rhythm to the work schedule as quickly as possible. In addition, we try to improve on the quality and duration of sleep at bedtime to reduce effects of sleep deprivation. This is typically easier to achieve for people who work regular shift, and treatment is similar to that for jet lag which is to adjust the body clock to a new ‘daytime’.

What if I work rotating shifts?

The day before night shift: Get up at your usual time and have meals as usual. Take a two to three hour nap in the late afternoon or early evening to reduce your sleep debt before the start of your duties.

During the shift: Take a power nap for 30 minutes if possible to reduce the sleep debt. Avoid too long a nap as you may have more difficulty getting into an alert state.

Day after the night shift: If you have to work another night shift, get in six to eight hours of sleep when you get home. If you cannot get a long enough sleep, nap in the late afternoon or early evening as described earlier. If you do not have to work nights again, catch a short two to three hour nap after you get home and stay awake till your normal bedtime.

Tips

Tips to cope with rotating night shifts:

• Maintain a regular sleep routine on normal work days and on rest days.
• Plan naps to reduce sleep debt during night shift periods, and catch up on sleep on rest days.
• Eat properly and maintain sufficient exercises to provide cues for maintenance of circadian synchronisation.
  

Tips to sleep better during the day:

• Maintain general sleep hygiene principles. Avoid strenuous exercises, caffeine and nicotine four hours before bedtime.
• On your way home from night shift, use dark sunglasses to reduce the effects from the bright morning sunlight which may influence the circadian rhythm.
• Keep a conducive sleep environment: Use dark curtains, and earplugs if necessary.
• Learn some relaxation skills and avoid trying too hard to get to sleep.
• Avoid the temptation to defer sleep to attend to personal administrative or social tasks, plan to do these after your rest period.
• If necessary, see your GP for shortterm prescription of sleeping aids. Use these medications on an as needed basis only.

Scheduling enough time to sleep is important and should be actively prioritised and planned for. Good sleep is essential to well-being, and allows one to function efficiently and safely.