The Hidden Health Costs of 24/7 Society and Night Work
We live in an era of constant connectivity, where electric lights and technology enable activity around the clock. While this 24/7 accessibility offers convenience, it comes at a significant cost to our health. Sleep is not merely a period of rest; it’s a foundational pillar of well-being and disrupting our natural sleep-wake cycles—our circadian rhythms—increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and mental health issues.
The Circadian Rhythm: Our Internal Clock
The circadian rhythm is a biological process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. This rhythm is controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus of the brain . It’s intrinsically linked to light and darkness: darkness triggers melatonin secretion, promoting sleepiness, while sunlight signals wakefulness.
The Challenge of Night Work
Only a small percentage of people—less than 3%—can fully adapt to regular night work . For the vast majority, night work disrupts this delicate balance. Experts increasingly view night work not as a personal choice, but as a public health concern.
Night work can be categorized into three types: essential public services (like healthcare, emergency services, and utilities), technically necessary roles (where continuous operation is critical, such as power plants or steel mills), and profit/convenience-driven industries (like manufacturing, logistics, and delivery) . The latter category, driven by consumer demand for constant availability, is expanding rapidly.
Health Risks Associated with Disrupted Circadian Rhythms
Disrupting the circadian rhythm has far-reaching consequences. Individuals who work nights experience:
- Decreased concentration
- Chronic fatigue
- Increased risk of accidents
- Digestive and heart diseases
- Sleep disorders
The consequences are particularly acute in high-intensity, long-hour jobs. For example, the case of a 27-year-ancient Coupang delivery worker in South Korea who died from overwork while working a demanding night shift highlighted the dangers of prioritizing speed and deadlines over worker well-being .
Mitigating the Risks: What Can Be Done?
While eliminating night work entirely isn’t always feasible, several strategies can mitigate its negative effects:
- Institutionalized Rest: Many countries regulate night work hours. The European Union recommends limiting average night work hours to eight hours per 24-hour period .
- Health Examinations: Regular health checks are crucial for night workers to monitor their well-being.
- Limited Consecutive Nights: Research suggests limiting continuous night work to three days or less, with at least 11 hours of rest between shifts .
- Policy and Institutional Support: Intervention at the policy level is essential to protect night workers.
- Consumer Choices: Consumers can play a role by opting for slower delivery options, reducing the pressure on workers to rush.
The Require for Societal Change
Addressing the health risks of a 24/7 society requires a fundamental shift in values. We must move beyond a culture that prioritizes speed and convenience at the expense of health and well-being. As one expert noted, “Korea is a society where it is natural to sleep less and compete starting from adolescence. We are in a situation where we need to raise the level of social health.”
The issue extends beyond workers and companies; it involves consumers and a broader societal recognition of the importance of sleep.