Stories

Sun, 19 Jul 2026

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 The hidden cost of the night shift and how to sleep it off

More than three million people in the UK work night shifts, which can greatly impact their health. What can be done to help them?
Key points:
* Shift workers often struggle with insomnia, fatigue, and decreased productivity due to their irregular schedules.
* Research suggests that biphasic sleep, where the body naturally splits the day into two sleep periods, may be a more natural and restorative way of sleeping.
* Historically, people slept in two halves before artificial lighting made it possible to stay up later. This pattern has been observed in pre-industrial times and is still seen in some cultures today.
* Studies have shown that napping during shift work can improve alertness and reduce sleepiness, but more research is needed to understand the benefits of biphasic sleep for shift workers. Implications:
* Shift workers may benefit from adopting a biphasic sleep pattern, which could improve their overall health and well-being.
* More research is needed to fully understand the benefits and drawbacks of biphasic sleep, particularly in the context of shift work.
* Healthcare providers and employers should consider the unique needs of shift workers and provide support for their disrupted sleep patterns. Future research:
* Moen's study aims to develop clear clinical guidelines for shift workers and others with disrupted sleep patterns.
* The study will investigate the prevalence, forms, and benefits of biphasic sleep among shift workers, as well as its impact on health, performance, fatigue, and safety.