What happens if you sleep during the day and stay awake at night? Talking to your doctor

What happens if you sleep during the day and stay awake at night? Talking to your doctor

We tell you how the change of daily routine can affect your health.

You can watch soap operas night after night, spend your life from dusk till dawn on night shifts or have bouts of productivity at night.

Totally different reasons can lead to a lack of night rest. But is it possible to give up the usual system of sleep and wakefulness without any loss to the body?

Why do we sleep at night?

In the brain, in the hypothalamus region, there is a nucleus responsible for the function of the internal clock, which is designed for approximately 24-hour daily cycle.

It is this center that sets our circadian rhythms with its activity: the maximum activity of this nucleus is in the daytime, and the minimum – at night.

With the help of various nerve connections, it controls the work of all parts of the brain, such as respiratory. And further – the activities of the rest of the body.

What does science say?

A study published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine notes the long-term consequences of systematically missing a night’s sleep using the lifestyle of night shift workers as an example.

Major changes occur with the metabolism of substances that help in the repair of DNA molecules. Regular night work leads to a decrease in melatonin (sleep hormone) circulating in the body, which is confirmed by urine tests of the study participants.

And also a significant (up to 80%) decrease in the content of a special substance, which, according to the researchers, is a by-product of the body’s work to repair damaged DNA molecules.

Can nighttime sleep be compensated by daytime sleep?

Would daytime sleep be adequate rest compensation for people who work night shifts and sleep during the day? Or is it still detrimental to health?

Sleep fully fulfills its function only in a scenario where we experience drowsiness in the evening and sleep soundly and peacefully all night. Yes, a full day’s sleep can compensate for nighttime sleep deprivation, but only for a while.

That is, the body will eventually get almost the same level of performance and quality of tissue repair and immunity maintenance, but sooner or later it can lead to consequences.

What can help make daytime sleep more fulfilling?

There are a few tips to help improve your sleep, even if you systematically change your schedule:

• stick to your sleep schedule – if you work nights, keep a routine to get enough hours of sleep;

• try to exercise at least two to three hours before bedtime;

• reduce your caffeine and nicotine intake;

• do not consume alcoholic beverages before going to bed;

• do not overeat before resting;

• relax and don’t overload your day;

• don’t forget your hobbies – for example, reading or listening to music can be part of your bedtime ritual;

• fall asleep in a dark, cool bedroom, without using gadgets before bed.