Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
A shift-worker’s perpective
Hectic night shift after hectic night shift, I’m tired and I’m worn out.
Shift work is tough. Shift work in healthcare being exceptionally mentally-draining.
The past few weeks have been especially difficult — Sydney is in lockdown due to the spread of the Delta strain. Getting out in the winter sun, within our little 10km radius bubble from home, to get exercise is a fleeting escape but a risk all the same.
The new case numbers are in triple digits now. I refuse to be one of those numbers. The earliest I can have my Pfizer vaccine booked for is October. Two and a half more months. In the meanwhile, I’m being additionally cautious.
Night shift, home, sleep during the daytime, wake-up, enjoy what is left of the sun, night shift, repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
On my days off, I get to enjoy the sunlight more; within the 10km radius of course and with my mask on. Actively dodging the mask-less delinquents on the street who continue to laugh in the face of the virus.
What free time I do get on my night shifts, I fill up by taking power naps, taking my meals in the break room (and not patient-side by a critical case) or reading books.
