Working night shifts and frequently changing work schedules when you’re young can lead to depression in middle age, according to a new study. Researchers at NYU Silver School of Social Work conducted the study, which involved 7,000 Americans over the age of 30. The study found that working night shifts and constantly changing work schedules can disrupt sleep, which can lead to mental health problems, including depression by age 50. Only a quarter of the participants had a day job. Numerous studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to various health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

The report also highlights that black Americans suffer from insomnia more often than their white compatriots. “We need to prevent our work from making us sick,” says Wen-Jui Han, a professor at the NYU Silver School of Social Work who led the study. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, recommends providing resources to support those who are physically and mentally impaired by their work.
How can one deal with the situation?
You can try a handful of techniques, such as developing sleep hygiene, exposing yourself to natural light when waking up, eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, seeking social support, limiting alcohol consumption, and getting professional help to cope.