I suffer from Slumber-interruptus. As night worker, sleep is for the day, and night for the job. Ha!
In the broader scope, never start night work, unless you have a forgiving family situation, or no family. Then it helps to have a forgiving boss too. It will take years to perfect the beast of nature called "Night Shift," and yes it is a vampire.
Once you perfect the techniques that allow you to pursue night work, well the long term changes stack a wall up against you.
Sleep deprivation is rampant. A large proportion of the problem is due to the high paced lifestyle causing the lack of time to get the sleep we need. The other reason people are so sleep deprived is due to sleep disorders. Most people are unaware, as are most physicians. Sleep was not taught during their medical training. (retrieve: http://www.sleepnet.com/depriv.htm )Some claim I worked nights to avoid nightime feedings and diaper changes. That could be true. Mostly I did it to get the training I needed to be productive in engineering.
Scampering around to make time appear fluid, and not getting on everyone's nerves led to some whacky arbitrations between I and my holy temple, my body. Humans use their relic bodies to push production and I have been no exception.
The only drawback I can perceive is of withdrawal afterwards. Let me explain:
- 8 hour night shift usually means you will sleep with the dogs; I can last until 12PM the next afternoon, then sleep around 5 hours.
- 12 hour night shift will result in a much earlier need to sleep. By 10AM the next morning deafness kicks in, dreamland is upon me even if I am not reclining.
- Alternating 8 and 12 hours night shifts are the most deadly of schedules and result in slumber-interruptus... I care not who one thinks he is, sleep is denied.
"Wheeee, doggie Jethro, that do beat all." I guess I am telling you the reader whom might know me, or even care for me a little, that is why I am so goofy sometimes on the phone, or when you are around me. It also has something to do with my new and expanded girth that haunts me.
Talk with doctors about their internships, or pilots, or astronauts... Our human body, the Temple, is a Relic, and should be respected for what it is. Humans can train it and push it, but in the perfection of performance is the event of hitting a wall of rejection. Be ready for it is my message today. In my case it is the problems of going into the next level of existence bedraggled, rather, and performance being controlled by my dysfunctional body:
A very common disorder where there is obstruction of the nose and/or throat by enlarged tonsils, a deviated nasal septum etc. which results in pauses in breathing during sleep. Symptoms include snoring, morning headache and daytime fatigue. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to heart failure and is a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. ( ibid)Don't worry for me, as I have defined the problem, stopped denying it, and am taking measure to correct the situation. Life is precious, and friends are amazing from wherever they happen to ascend. Sleep well, and 8.2 hours a day. pd/mpw
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