“Can yoga help with sleep?”
I work in rotational shifts at my hospital, and I can't sleep because my schedule constantly changes. Can yoga help me sleep better?
3 Answers
Talk to your scheduler and see if they can start using a set schedule as it is beneficial for employees and patients. 8-hour shifts are better than 12-hour shifts. Also, try to have a block of 4 hours that you keep constant for sleep to entrain the circadian clock. Yoga can help with sleep by reducing somatic arousal and has a calming effect for some people.
It might help a bit. Rotating shifts are extremely difficult challenges for workers. Studies of nurses working as shift workers show considerable adverse health effects beyond simple fatigue or sleepiness.
Yes, yoga can help, as can any technique to increase relaxation.
Roger Broughton, MD
Roger Broughton, MD
