Sleep

Cramped conditions, the racket of machinery, the sway of the ocean, long shifts and mentally tasking work resulting in the inability to 'switch off' combined with physical and emotional stresses and an unnatural environment doesn't exactly offer a cosy little haven conducive with a restful nights kip!

a 2021 study into remote rotational workers wellbeing indicated that 36% of workers struggled with sleep disturbances and 21% were experiencing ongoing emotional dysregulation and stress.

Sleep is paramount for emotional wellbeing and stabilised mental health, pivotal in physical recovery, a should-be element of health and safety in the work place, particularly were conditions are extreme or machinery is operated and let's face it, nobody is their most palatable self without enough of it.

So, what can you do to get better at it?

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as handing out PPE and even if I could give you a hard hat that magically sent you off into a slumber, it's likely everyone would need a very different one.

But, the good news is... There are things you can do to achieve a better sleep, whether at home, in a hotel or in the middle of the North Sea!

• Keep a consistent routine. Get up at the same time every day (shift dependent). A regular wake time helps to set your body's natural clock, our 'circadian rhythm' which is one of the main ways our bodies regulate sleep. In addition to sleep, stick to a regular schedule for meals, exercise, and other activities. This may be a different schedule than you are used to whilst away, and that is fine just pay attention to your body's cues and find a rhythm that works for you and that you can maintain during this "new normal."?
• Have a Down-Time and a Sleep-Time routine too! For 15/20/30 minutes before bed establish a practise that helps you to shut off. Journal your thoughts, read a book, listen to music, enjoy a warm drink and then commit to the same 'Sleep-Time' each evening. There will be plenty of staring at ceilings to start with but, you'll get there.
• Get morning light. Get up, get out of bed, and get some light. Light is the main controller of the natural body clock, and regular exposure to light in the morning helps to set the body's clock each day. Natural sunlight is best, as even cloudy days provide over double the light intensity of indoor lighting. If you can't get any natural light, switch on the light and get up and out of bed!
• Release your thoughts before bed. If you have had any bad experienced during the day, you have struggled with a task, had a disagreement with a colleague, talk about it. Never sleep with your worries, they'll keep you awake!

And if you really are continuing to struggle speak to someone, even if that is your recruitment consultant. We are here to listen and to help and will always do the best that we can.

Book Recommendations:        

Babel- R F Kuang        

The Alchemist-Paulo Coelho        

You Only Live Twice- Ian Fleming        

The Mountain Is You- Brianna Weist        

Ikagai- Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia        

Does It Hurt?- H D Carlton         

Frankenstein- Mary Shelley        

Sapiens- Yuval Noah Harari