A training that pays for itself (sleeping). And with this sum: less absenteeism + more productive colleagues + a safer working environment. After all, working shifts and working at night is top sport. It demands a lot from your colleagues, physically and mentally. So, they can use all the help with that. Think of sleeping tips, talking about sleeping problems and making smart choices about nutrition at night. Let me briefly take you through what we discuss during the Shift & Sleep training.
Insight about night work
A good workout starts with a good warm-up. In this case in the form of a few eye-openers when it comes to sleep deprivation among night workers.
In the Netherlands, about 1.2 million people (CBS, February 2022) work until the early hours.
Within the first 3 years, about 30% of shift workers develop health problems. (NSWO, 2019). As a result, these valuable employees have to leave the shift.
Research shows that (long-term) night work leads to various health problems. Think of an increased risk of sleeping problems, diabetes mellitus (type 2) and cardiovascular disease.
Do you want to know more facts right away? For example, what is Shift Work Syndrome and how can you recognize it? Which can. Download my free whitepaper ‘Sleep well, work safely’.
Break the taboo!
Talking about sleep problems is one thing. It can feel like weakness. Or maybe there is even some fear of losing a job. For a healthy work culture, you naturally want the exact opposite. We will discuss this extensively during the training. With result, because recently I received this feedback:
“Let’s talk about something other than technical subjects. I liked that.
There was room to share experiences about sleeping around shift work. This is how I got to know my colleagues even better. Win win.”
– production employee at Kemira Rotterdam BV
Tips for eating and drinking during night shifts
Good nutrition helps to stay fit and safe at night. Because these night workers are true top athletes. And they have to take good care of their bodies, just like top athletes. You help these colleagues by:
✔ offering or encouraging healthy food. Think of whole grain products, healthy fats and proteins. By adjusting the diet, fatigue is reduced to more than 26%. This is the conclusion of the Optimization of Night Work Hospitals study. A fatty bite makes the body sleepy. Especially since our digestive system is not made to work at night.
✔ plan (or have planned) structural meals for all night workers. My example eating schedule at night:
11:00 pm a healthy snack.
1:30 a night meal.
5:00 am another healthy snack.
✔ share the advice to drink coffee or caffeinated drinks up to 2:00 am. That way you don’t disturb your daytime sleep.
✔ Good night app recommended. Here you will find all kinds of tips, practical information and tools to stay healthy and fit during the night shift.
A smart investment
In short: there is plenty to discuss. Now this is a short summary of what is on the program of the Shift Work & Sleep training. Did I get your interest? Fine! Let’s work together to prevent absenteeism and industrial accidents. It starts with sharing this knowledge with your production staff.
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