CQU launches health resource hub for shiftworkers
A first job doing shift work shouldn’t mean your health takes a hit – and CQUniversity sleep researchers are helping young people clock on with wellbeing in mind.
Their new Healthy Shiftwork project shares tailored, engaging information for shiftworkers who are just starting out, for better sleep, nutrition, and physical activity.
The research-informed advice is relevant for all ages – good news for more than two million shift workers across Australia, and hundreds of millions worldwide who work outside the 9-5, and can’t establish normal sleep/wake patterns.
Appleton Institute is CQUniversity’s flagship research hub for health and wellbeing at work, rest and play, and is set to launch the Healthy Shiftwork resources.
Shiftworkers, researchers, and health professionals are invited to attend the online launch and webinar on Tuesday 4 March at 12pm AEDT, via the event registration page.
Sleep researcher and project lead, A/Prof Grace Vincent said the new Healthy Shiftwork website features accessible, relatable characters and animations, and easy-to-read infographics.
"It’s a fun and meaningful way to help young people get on the path to good health, by understanding the essentials of sleep, nutrition and physical activity, and implementing our strategies to achieve optimum health and wellbeing,” she explained.
For instance, ‘good sleep’ habits presented on a fun snakes and ladders board include:
- Using strategic napping for an energy boost (10 to 20 minutes)
- Optimising your sleep environment (cool, dark, quiet)
- Knowing your chronotype and circadian rhythm preferences
And some ‘bad sleep’ habits to avoid are:
- Bright light exposure before sleep, including phones in bed
- Not creating the ideal sleep environment when you can (cool, dark, quiet)
- ‘Getting by’ on 4-5 hours sleep within 24 hours
Other advice includes strategic caffeine intake, timed for different types of shifts – and a “napuccino”, or pre-nap coffee consumption, to help limit grogginess.
A/Prof Vincent said building knowledge and making small improvements can mean big changes in overall health and wellbeing.
“As the characters explain, they visited healthyshiftwork.com.au and now have access to science-backed information to help them stay on the path to good health – and we’re inviting all shiftworkers to do the same!”
Research shows shiftworkers can face serious health and wellbeing issues as a result of their non-standard work commitments.
The project team hope this initiative can start to shift habits across the workforce.
“While this information was developed for young adults, it will apply to many shiftworkers, regardless of their age… and empower shiftworkers to look after their health and wellbeing, despite their challenging schedules,” A/Prof Vincent said.
Shiftworkers, workplace health and safety experts, science communications specialists and creatives all helped develop the Healthy Shiftwork project, through a citizen science approach.
Healthy Shiftwork was funded by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Australian Citizen Science Association, the Australasian Sleep Association, and CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute.
