Millions of majorization unit interim in the US work throughout the night, from emergency service workers to late night hospitality, retail and food workers, transportation and utility workers, and those who produce or distribute goods through 24 hour shifts. For most, the risk of falling short of sleep is minimal and temporary. But for those who have to do it regularly or for long periods of time, the hazards can add up.

Sleep deprivation alters the release of hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure and body temperature. It reduces leptin, which signals to the brain that you’ve eaten enough and raises ghrelin, an appetite stimulant. Over time, a lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and reduced physical activity, which can further increase hunger.

Unlocking the Benefits: Temporary Night Increase Explained

Getting enough sleep can improve alertness and cognitive abilities. When you don’t get enough, your reaction times slow and logical reasoning is impaired. It can also affect your mood, causing you to feel irritable and sad.

To help make the transition to a night shift as smooth as possible, you should start adjusting your sleep schedule well before the change occurs. For example, if you’re on an evening shift and you know you’re about to rotate to the night shift, delay your bedtime by one or two hours each day in the last few days of the shift. This gives your body a chance to adjust before the shift starts and avoids the harsh disruption of an abrupt change in your sleep pattern.