The Healthy Shift Worker

The Wellness Couch
The Healthy Shift Worker

When it comes to shift work struggles – there are many! From chronic fatigue and tiredness to sleep-deprivation, having no energy to exercise, weight fluctuations, a depleted immune system, digestive complaints, nervous system dysregulation and a disrupted family and social life. It’s certainly not easy working 24/7 and you’re not alone in feeling this way. In this podcast, Audra speaks with experts on sleep, nutrition, weight management, stress relief and a realm of other topics relevant to shift work health. Audra also interviews current and former shift workers from an array of different industries and occupations, who are essentially the real experts behind working 24/7. This fun, informative and engaging podcast will leave you feeling motivated and inspired, and that you’re not alone in feeling like some kind of weird, nocturnal animal stuck in a wheel going round and round in circles.

  1. 28/12/2024

    HSW 129 - The Health Implications of Artificial Light at Night with Daniel Ebbett

    Today we're joined by Daniel Ebbett, founder of Block Blue Light, a company that promotes light-based technologies to promote better sleep and overall health. In this conversation, Daniel shares his personal journey from experiencing severe insomnia and health issues, which led to being prescribed all sorts of sleeping tablets, antidepressants and antipsychotic medication which only made him feel worse. It wasn't until he started to investigate the root cause himself and how profound of an impact artificial and mistimed light exposure was having on his sleep and overall health, that he was able to turn his health around. Some of the topics discussed include: - How sleep deprivation can lead to severe health issues.- How light exposure, especially blue light, affects our sleep quality.- Why natural light is essential for regulating our circadian rhythms.- How shift work is classified as a class two carcinogen due to light exposure.- How red light therapy can enhance cellular energy production.- Why SAD lamps can help with seasonal affective disorder but may have drawbacks.- How optimizing home lighting can improve overall well-being.- Why getting outside and exposing yourself to natural light is vital and much, much more. To WATCH the episode on YouTube - Click Here Lens Colour Guide - resource mentioned on the podcast,https://www.blockbluelight.com.au/pages/blue-light-lens-colour-guideTo connect with Daniel, visit:https://www.blockbluelight.com.au/ To learn more about Audra's work, or to get in contact, visit:https://healthyshiftworker.com/

    49 min
  2. 05/11/2024

    HSW 127 - Rethinking Healthcare - What If Your Body Is Brilliant?

    Hi everyone, today’s podcast is an excerpt from a training session that I recently delivered in our Healthy Shift Worker Skool Community Membership – where I discuss rethinking the current healthcare model and looking towards a more holistic approach to healing. Because I feel it’s time for a paradigm shift – to challenge the conventional healthcare system's sole reliance on external medical treatments, along with a narrative that our bodies are broken and need to be “fixed”. Now as a shift worker, whilst you may often feel like your body is broken, it’s more than likely, not. It’s actually your environment that is broken, and this is what need to focus on.  For example, using appropriately timed light exposure can play a pivotal role in helping the body regain homeostasis, a balanced internal state that supports healing and recovery. When light exposure aligns with natural circadian rhythms, it helps regulate vital processes like hormone production, sleep-wake cycles, and cellular repair. This alignment is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with thyroid imbalances and metabolic health issues, as these conditions are closely linked to circadian rhythm disruption. Morning sunlight, for example, can stimulate cortisol production, which energizes the body for the day, while limiting exposure to artificial light in the evening encourages the natural rise of melatonin, a hormone essential for restful sleep and nighttime repair. By incorporating specific timing and types of light exposure, we can create a supportive environment that allows the body’s innate healing mechanisms to work more effectively, fostering improvements in thyroid function, metabolic resilience, and overall well-being. I hope you enjoy the episode! To access my BRAND NEW COURSE - 'The Circadian Lifestyle Program - Exclusively For Shift Workers'Join The Healthy Shift Worker Skool Communityhttps://www.skool.com/healthyshiftworkerclub-4143To learn more about Audra's work, or to get in contact, visit:https://healthyshiftworker.com/

    27 min
  3. 16/09/2024

    HSW 124 - Hormones, Light and Metabolic Health with Dr Kelsey Dexter

    In this podcast episode, endocrinologist and herbalist Dr. Kelsey Dexter from Jackson, Tennessee, discusses the intricate relationship between hormonal health, metabolic health, and circadian rhythms.Some of the topics covered include how... - Circadian health is often overlooked in medical discussions.- Artificial light exposure can disrupt metabolic processes.- Metabolic flexibility allows the body to utilize different fuel sources effectively.- Leptin resistance can lead to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.- Thyroid health is interconnected with overall metabolic health.- Morning sunlight exposure is crucial for regulating circadian rhythms.- Building muscle mass enhances insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.- Regular movement, especially after meals, can help manage blood sugar levels, and much more.Research paper mentioned on the podcast - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379875074_Enhanced_muscle_activity_during_interrupted_sitting_improves_glycemic_control_in_overweight_and_obese_men To WATCH the episode on YouTube - Click Here To connect with Kelsey, visit:https://www.instagram.com/kelseydextermd/To access my BRAND NEW COURSE - 'The Circadian Lifestyle Program - Exclusively For Shift Workers'Join The Healthy Shift Worker Skool Communityhttps://www.skool.com/healthyshiftworkerclub-4143To learn more about Audra's work, or to get in contact, visit:https://healthyshiftworker.com/

    1h 4m
4.6
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

When it comes to shift work struggles – there are many! From chronic fatigue and tiredness to sleep-deprivation, having no energy to exercise, weight fluctuations, a depleted immune system, digestive complaints, nervous system dysregulation and a disrupted family and social life. It’s certainly not easy working 24/7 and you’re not alone in feeling this way. In this podcast, Audra speaks with experts on sleep, nutrition, weight management, stress relief and a realm of other topics relevant to shift work health. Audra also interviews current and former shift workers from an array of different industries and occupations, who are essentially the real experts behind working 24/7. This fun, informative and engaging podcast will leave you feeling motivated and inspired, and that you’re not alone in feeling like some kind of weird, nocturnal animal stuck in a wheel going round and round in circles.

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