In this article:
What is shift work disorder?
If you are working at night, early in the morning or on rotating shifts, you may be suffering from shift work disorder. In this case, you are certainly more likely to suffer from insomnia when attempting to sleep, and/or excessive sleepiness at work.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, one in five shift workers have experienced shift work disorder in the US.
The National Sleep Foundations explains that a shift work disorder left untreated can lead to serious complications including mood problems, poor work performance, higher accident risk, added health issues, low testosterone or even substance abuse.
What is it exactly?
"Shift work disorder is categorized as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. This class of medical conditions is characterized by a misalignment between the body and the circadian rhythms that regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Other circadian rhythm sleep disorders include delayed and advanced sleep-wake phase disorder, irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder, and jet lag." (the National Sleep Foundation)
Can Dodow help you get better sleep?
Circadian rhythms are mostly guided by natural light and darkness. During the day, your eyes perceive sunlight and signal the brain to release hormones like cortisol that keep you feeling alert and energized. As the sun sets and light fades, your brain produces another hormone, melatonin, which induces feelings of sleepiness and relaxation.
Dodow's breathing exercise will allow your body to naturally switch from the alert state to a resting state.
Dodow helps you practice heart coherence, a breathing technique based on rhythm and meditation. It will help you to slow down your heartbeats on your own. Breathing slowly at a rhythm of about 6 breaths per minute (the rhythm of heart coherence) enables you to slow down your metabolism. Your body produces less cortisol, the stress hormone, and in a few minutes you’ve managed to put your body in a resting state.
Synchronizing your breathing on a light which pulses at a slow and regular rhythm has a hypnotic effect (the phenomenon is similar to that of looking at a pendulum). Thus, after a few minutes, you can let go and fall asleep.
If you need to use Dodow during the day 🌞You would only have to make sure your room is dark enough. As Dodow projects a halo of light directly onto your ceiling, you wouldn't be able to clearly see the light movements if there's too much light in your room. |
Our users testify
Does this work for people who need to sleep during the day and work nightshift?
