Transcript from podcast in which Dr Louise Kuegler from The Good Fellow Unit – Interviews director of Shiftwork Services, Fiona Johnston. Overview of Podcast: At some point in a health professionals, training or career shift-work will be required. 50% of shift workers will leave their position within the first six months, as they are unable…
Some people with insomnia have long awakenings during the night and some try to deal with their poor sleep by staying in bed longer in the morning to “make up” some of their lost sleep. This generally upsets the body clock and sleep patterns become increasingly disorganised. What is sleep restriction therapy? This method was…
Both natural and artificial blue light can boost your alertness and mental sharpness however too much of it may keep you awake when your body needs to wind down. What is blue light? Blue light is a colour in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes. It has a short wavelength,…
Did you know that most people sleep better when their bedroom is clean and tidy? A survey conducted for the National Sleep Foundation, looked at the relationship between bedroom environment and sleep. Here’s an overview of their findings: Seven out of 10 people said they made their bed every day or almost every day. The…
If your mind tends to wander, you’re not alone. Human brains are in the moment for just over half of our waking hours, according to a study from Harvard University. this is 53% of the time. The other 47% of the time we’re lacking focus and thinking of something else. Unfortunately, mind wandering can happen…
What is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Normally, your body makes more melatonin at night. Levels usually start to go up in the evening once the sun sets. They drop in the morning when the sun goes up. The amount of light you get each…
Napping at work is not allowed in many organisations and yet tired or fatigued employees can have a significant effect in the workplace, reducing both safety and productivity. What is a Power Nap? A power nap is a short sleep that ends before you go into deep sleep (slow-wave sleep; SWS); it is intended to quickly…
Many industries rely on workers being physically and mentally alert however workplace fatigue is on the rise as people work longer hours often under increasingly difficult conditions and stress brought about by COVID-19. This article explores common causes of fatigue and offers key recommendations for managers and staff. What is fatigue? Fatigue is a state…
Finding the best roster to fit your organisation can be tricky. Typically managers hope for a lean roster, staff want time off whilst health and safety professionals want a fatigue safe roster. Common questions are; how long should the shift be, should a roster pattern rotate backwards or forwards, if doing 12 hour shifts should…
Breathing Exercise to De-Stress There are many breathing exercises you can do which can help you to relax and de-stress, but also improve your lung function, particularly if you’ve suffered from a recent respiratory illness. Equally if you play regular sport, improved lung capacity will benefit your exercise tolerance. In short, breathing exercises can benefit everyone…