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A survey released this week by Men's Health Network reveals that male IT workers who burn the midnight oil through overnight shifts, as well as others who work non-traditional hours, feel their shift is having a direct impact on their poor health.
Nearly half (47 respondents) complained of low energy levels, while 43 percent say their non-traditional shift has a negative impact on weight, and almost a third (30 percent) said work was screwing up their sex lives. Considering all this, it comes as no surprise that 51 percent reported feeling frustrated and drained in the last week. In addition, 42 percent reported being irritable in the last week, 36 percent anxious, and 32 percent downright angry.
"While the physical and emotional toll that shift workers are reporting is certainly of great concern, to me the most alarming finding of the survey is that a great majority of shift worker respondents (72 percent) seem to think that being tired is 'just a part of the job' and do not consider speaking with their physician about their symptoms," said Jean J.E. Bonhomme, M.D., MPH, spokesperson for Men's Health Network and Cephalon. "What we know is that people who work non-traditional hours may be suffering from a real medical condition called shift work disorder. This can be diagnosed and the symptoms can be treated by a doctor, if only they mention issues caused by their work schedule during visits to their healthcare professional."
The online survey was taken by 1,565 shift workers between May 25th and June 1st of this year.
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Damnlogin
July 17, 2011 at 12:50am
I work from 1:30am to 10am on the weekdays and im still in shape + i have a girlfriend. I choose to work these hours because i like the quiet. Guess i'm just one of the few lucky bastards out there :)
Keith E. Whisman
July 15, 2011 at 3:38pm
I never got angry at my shift. Nobody ever forced me to work night shift. In the Army perhaps but never in civilian life. I've always had the option of moving on. When someone tells me I have to do something I remind them if it's something that is going to interfere with my family then it's something I don't have to do. I really don't have to do anything at all. Just do my job and if my hours don't go with my available schedule then I'm not available and will find other work.
Keith E. Whisman
July 15, 2011 at 3:34pm
They are undersexed becaused of the shift they are working or they just don't even try to hook up with girls. Guys you have to realize that your unlikely to land a girl like the one you tug at on your favorize porn site. Just be honest to the girls your interested in. If they hang out with you a lot and stay even after telling them that you really like them its in the bag.
Ghok
July 15, 2011 at 9:58am
If you work irregular hours, you are less likely to be out and about when the rest of the world is. Stores aren't open, most people aren't awake... etc. Obviously, if you don't make an effort to do something about it, then it can be a problem.
Holly Golightly
July 15, 2011 at 9:17am
I am not sure how true this may be. When I used to be a grave-shift worker, I was in shape. From personal experience, I was a little angry at certain coworkers, but most of the time I enjoyed working alone, which felt great. No loud noise, annoying children, or overcrowding. My nights were mostly peaceful. Just going all crazy on YouTube or playing a game. Sometimes talking to another cowork, and laugh insanely at times. My most unforgetable work experiences were from working night shift actually.
