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Shift-Worker Sleep Disorder

Almost 20% of Americans work an evening or night shift and about 70% of them experience sleep disturbances related to their working hours. Shift-worker sleep disorder can be eased by incorporating scheduled breaks into your shift, and by rotating shifts gradually from day to evening and then to night (rather than working the day shift, night shift, and evening shift on successive days).

Shift workers should reserve the bedroom for sleep and sex only, keep the bedroom cool and comfortable, relax before falling asleep, and maintain a regular routine of preparing for bed. Dark curtains or shades should be used to keep daylight out; eyeshades also are helpful. A running fan or other "white noise" can help block external noise.

Light therapy or the short-term use of sleep medicines is sometimes recommended to help people get used to a new schedule.