The study involved 392 nurses who were required to report their sleep experiences in daily diaries for 14 days, including duration, quality, and nightmare severity. Blood samples were taken at the halfway point to test for inflammation and general immune response.
Researchers found that participants fell into three categories. 80.4% reported good overall sleep, 11.2% had poor overall sleep, and 8.4% were in the “nightmares only” group with mostly average sleep but above-average levels of nightmare severity.
The nurses in the poor sleep group were more likely to be recent night-shift workers than those in the good overall sleep class. These people reported worse sleep quality, more PTSD, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and more perceived stress.
The study was performed in 2017, which was before the pandemic, so researchers believe that these symptoms may have become even more exacerbated. Jesse Dietch, co-author of the study, said, “The pandemic has really highlighted the importance of caring for our caregivers, and I think sleep is an important place to look for doing that.”
Future research will focus on how to prevent adverse sleep effects for shift-working nurses, including individual-level interventions and stabilizing schedules for shift workers.
Be Proactive
But it isn’t just nurses that should be proactive about their sleep, mental health, and brain function. With rising stress levels and disrupted sleep schedules throughout the pandemic, many people are feeling the side effects.
Sleep Sure Plus can help to ensure a good night’s sleep. A night of proper sleep can support the ability to maintain a healthy body weight, blood sugar level, cardiovascular health, and mood.
With a unique blend of vitamins and minerals, Sleep Sure Plus can help to improve the quality of sleep, reduce anxiety, prevent premature aging, and improve mood. One of the main ingredients found in the formula is melatonin, a hormone that is essential for the regulation of the circadian rhythm and is typically produced and released in the body at night, making it easier to fall asleep.
The brain is under constant stress, especially in those who lack proper sleep. Sleep deprivation, along with other numerous factors, can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function. The Smart Pill contains 9 ingredients to support, nourish, and maximize brain health and cognitive function.