A Finnish study found that shift work and the sleep disturbances it causes affect DNA. Shift workers who suffer from sleep disorders present DNA methylation changes that affect gene functions. The phenomenon was found in DNA changes in white blood cells, and the changes are linked to inflammatory diseases through sleep deprivation. People with a shift work sleep disorder relax less at bedtime, take longer to fall asleep and have poorer sleep quality than shift workers without the disorder. The study also found that during holidays, rest and recovery restored changes in the DNA function. According to researchers, adequate rest and recovery play a vital role in preventing these changes.
According to another Finnish study, a mere three evening or night shifts a month can lead to constant fatigue during leisure time. This phenomenon has been observed in every second hospital worker with a shift work sleep disorder. Sleep-deprived people were also sleepier on both night and morning shifts. They also had shorter sleep and greater sleep deprivation before morning shifts. Those suffering from a shift work sleep disorder also slept only slightly more than their sleep needs on days off, unlike the control group. According to the study, shift work sleep disorder is poorly recognised in healthcare and more attention should be paid to its prevention. A sufficiently long and high-quality recovery can ease symptoms for many people. In Finland, around one fifth of the workforce performs shift work.
The Neurosonic technology brings relief from sleep disorders and recovery challenges
The Neurosonic vibration technology has been developed to accelerate and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for recovery. Even 10 minutes a day using our device helps recovery and prevents the negative effects of non-recovery. Hundreds of companies in Finland and the NHS in the UK have adopted our technology. The feedback from everyone is similar: recovery is better, it is more frequent and easily triggered, and it is easily verifiable through various recovery measurement technologies and subjective perception. The quality of sleep becomes better for most people, and, at the same time, their alertness and concentration improve.
The benefits of our technology are also reflected in lower overall stress levels, with a direct impact on performance, motivation and mood.
Neurosonic expert team recommendations for the use of Neurosonic programmes for shift workers:
- The activation programmes are suitable for a night shift worker between 8 pm and 5 am, for example, or to refresh at any time of the day.
- The relaxation programmes can be used, for example, in a three-night cycle by taking longer relaxation programmes between the first and second night for better sleep.
- The recovery programmes are recommended for night shift workers after their last night shift, as it can help them to return back to their normal circadian rhythm.
