A Must for Shift Workers! Acupressure Know-How for Deep Sleep Despite an Irregular Lifestyle

How can the wisdom of Donguibogam be explained by modern science? Shift work insomnia goes beyond simply being unable to sleep; it is deeply related to the disruption of our body's exquisite biological clock, the circadian rhythm. This circadian rhythm is regulated in a region of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which primarily perceives external time through light and coordinates our body's arousal-sleep cycle on an approximate 24-hour cycle. When a lifestyle of working at night and sleeping during the day is repeated due to shift work, the suprachiasmatic nucleus falls into great confusion. Missing out on the sunlight it should receive during the day and being exposed to artificial light at night causes it to lose its original rhythm. While natural light suppresses melatonin secretion and stimulates cortisol secretion to induce arousal, at night melatonin secretion should increase and cortisol should decrease to transition into a sleep state. However, in shift workers, this hormone secretion pattern is completely reversed. Due to light exposure during night work, melatonin secretion is suppressed, and cortisol, which should be secreted throughout the night, maintains high levels during daytime hours. Consequently, even when trying to sleep during the day, the body is already set to 'active mode,' making it easy to stay in an aroused state, while at night, melatonin is not properly secreted, repeating a vicious cycle of difficulty falling asleep. This also impacts the brain's reward system, which can cause mood changes, impaired concentration, and even depressive feelings. It is not solely a hormonal problem. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to hypofunction of the brain's hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, causing memory and cognitive issues, and triggers hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system. This can develop into serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and decreased immunity. Furthermore, it affects gut health, leading to gut dysbiosis, which can amplify inflammatory responses and create a vicious cycle that further degrades sleep quality. The harmony of yin and yang described in Donguibogam is explained in modern medicine as the exquisite operation of the biological clock and hormonal balance. Science is also proving how crucial environmental regulation and efforts to maintain the body's homeostasis truly are. Beyond the simple act of sleeping, we must remember that healthy sleep is the most vital time for repairing and reorganizing all systems of our body and mind. I sincerely hope the small habits I share will bring great comfort to your tired body and mind.