Loneliness threatens shiftwork

Without friendship care, shiftworkers suffer from loneliness

02/04/2013

When other people go to sleep or party, many shift workers have to get to work. For shiftworkers to suffer less from loneliness, or even lose their friendships at the worst, good planning and communication with their social contacts is extremely important.

Most of the shiftworkers struggle with loneliness. When friends meet in the evenings or on weekends, others often have to adjust because of their night shift. „Over the years, many people experience social isolation“, said Prof. Monika Rieger of the German Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine. If due to the shift schedules appointments have to be canceled again and again, invitations often go out. In order to do something about it, shift workers should always talk about it in their circle of acquaintances. „In most cases, a lot is won when the friends become aware of the situation.“

Loneliness and increased health risk: Side effects of shift work
If longer working hours are added to shift work, not only is social life extremely impaired, but various health risks can also occur, such as the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BauA) based on the evaluation of four independent studies on working time and health, was announced. Due to the irregular working hours, it can come to sleep disorders. In addition, shift work encourages the risk of developing diabetes, according to US researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

The danger of loneliness through shift work can be prevented by various measures. So spontaneous meetings with friends and acquaintances are not easy, but: with forward-looking planning and coordination, the social contacts work quite well. However, it is necessary for employees to be able to rely on their shift schedules and for the employer not to constantly change shifts. (Ad)

Also read:
Night work provokes diabetes and obesity
Breast cancer risk through night work

Picture: Berwis