Many of these people have learned to adapt to the rigors of the swing and night shifts through careful management of their family relationships, social obligations, and personal habits. For others, it just sort of happens. It's like when you start any new job somewhere. For the first few months, you undergo the change associated with new processes and people. If you accept the new "workstyle," you stay and are happy (well, let's say, "satisfied"). However, if after a fair trial period, you cannot accept, convert, or cope with the new system, you quit.
Researchers are interested in finding out more about shifworkers who report they are satisfied in their jobs. They know all about how certain changes in sleeping schedules, eating habits, and family support networks can make or break a shiftworker. But they also suspect that among many so-called happy shiftworkers, an underlying physical determinant may be at work.
In a study among Swedish male shiftworkers, researchers found that more satisfied individuals had higher levels of morning testosterone. Conversely, those who indentified themselves as dissatisfied exibited lower levels of the hormone. Is there something that causes the hormone difference that is related to adaptive ability, or is it that people who have more trouble sleeping have a lower hormone level? Some researchers indicate that it may be related to what is termed as "sleep-need." Some people just need more sleep, whether they work nights or days. So if there's a relationship between hormone levels and sleep quality, it stands to reason that there's a relationship between hormone levels and shiftwork tolerance. I think an interesting outcome would be to determine if hormone therapy alters sleep quality, which may affect shiftwork satisfaction. I'm not a fan of medication, but it would be interesting.
Here's what I do know about shiftwork satisfaction, and it's based on my own experience; no drugs are necessary.
1. Mama's got to buy in. As a shiftworker, my wife let me sleep during the day, kept the house dark and quiet, and took over many of my chores when I worked nights.
2. Have Fun. Whenever I could, I'd stop at the golf course after work and play a morning 9 holes. (It did wonders for my attitude, although my golf game still stinks). I also coached t-ball, helped out with the Scouts and Indian Guides, and helped keep our son out of trouble by being around a lot.
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