Copyright 2021 Chrono Eyewear BV
Anyone who does night work and therefore works irregular shifts, knows the dip: the moment when sleep threatens to strike while you are still working. Our internal clock produces that sleepy feeling under the influence of the day and night cycle. Daylight wakes and keeps us awake, when night falls the body prepares for sleep. When the outside temperature is at its lowest, the human energy also reaches its lowest point, the moment of deep sleep. This is how our biological clock has been programmed since prehistoric times. Still, staying alert and energetic during night work is possible with the Propeaq light glasses. You do not have to use it all working hours: Wearing for 30 minutes with the blue light switched on is sufficient to stay ahead of the dip. It works like this: the blue light looks like an extra sunrise to your senses. Your body responds by temporarily stopping the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. You can then perform at level for a few hours, as long as you have used the blue light before you feel the dip.
If you come home tired from work after the night shift, your body can receive a new energy boost because the day comes and the sun rises. That is of course not the intention. That is why the Propeaq light glasses have another function: change the light blue glasses for the included orange one when you get home. Keep them on for 30 minutes, half an hour, while you relax in your own environment. The red glasses block all natural and artificial blue light from your environment, stimulate the production of melatonin and thus provide the desired sleepiness.
The Propeaq light glasses support the energy, mood and health of everyone who works in irregular shifts. The free Propeaq TimeTooler app creates the right personal moments of use for morning shift, intermediate shift, evening shift and night shifts. With successive night shifts, the moment to use blue light shifts. A strict and personal schedule helps with the transition from consecutive night shifts to a normal day rhythm.
“Besides the fact that the light glasses keep me awake and alert, I also find it very easy that their app tells me when to put on the glasses for 30 minutes. Ideal!"
Monique
Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis
"I like to have light glasses like that 'wake me up' when I am called up"
Menno
Safety rehearsal NHN
"The Propeaq light glasses ensure that I get through the night as good and healthy as possible."
Thijs
ambulatory IC nurse
“I can handle night shifts quite well, because I always sleep well and stay awake at night easily. The main advantage of the light glasses for me during my night shift is that I have less need for unhealthy food, coffee and energy drinks. ”:
Ralph
IC, Elisabeth Two-Cities Hospital
"I didn't benefit much from it myself, but my colleagues did notice a difference"
Asphalt plow
Heijmans Infrastructure
"I can not live without"
Janneke
PACU, Erasmus MC
"we sleep better and we suffer less from that dip, nice thing those glasses"
Amber & Veronique
OK, Antonius Hospital
"blue with blue, ideal glasses. Keep me sharp during the rough hours in the middle of the night"
Bass
Law enforcement
Optimal effect of the Propeaq light glasses requires planning. To maximize the effect of our light glasses and different lenses, we have developed a special app for specific applications. World travelers can combat or prevent jet lag with the app. Night workers receive a personalized schedule via the app for optimal adjustments to the various night shifts and rosters. Search for My Propeaq TimeTooler in Google Play or App store. This is free to use, even if you do not have Propeaq light glasses in your possession. Scan the QR codes below for a direct download.
Rooster | Werktijden | 30 minuten blauw licht bij chrono type: vroeg | Oranje glazen |
|---|---|---|---|
1 nachtdienst | Begin dienst om 23:00 uur Einde dienst om 07:00 uur | Tussen 00:00 uur en 02:00 uur | Bij thuiskomst 30 minuten voordat je naar bed gaat |
2 nachtdiensten aan éénsluitend | Begin dienst om 23:00 uur Einde dienst om 07:00 uur | Tussen 01:00 uur en 03:00 uur | Bij thuiskomst 30 minuten voordat je naar bed gaat |
3 nachtdiensten aan éénsluitend | Begin dienst om 23:00 uur Einde dienst om 07:00 uur | Tussen 02:00 uur en 04:00 uur | Bij thuiskomst 30 minuten voordat je naar bed gaat |
Avond dienst | Begin dienst om 15:00 uur Einde dienst om 23:00 uur | Tussen 19:00 uur en 21:00 uur | Bij thuiskomst 30 minuten voordat je naar bed gaat |
Ochtend dienst | Begin dienst om 07:00 uur Einde dienst om 15:00 uur | Direct na opstaan en eventueel tussen 13:00 uur en 15:00 uur | 30 minuten voordat je naar bed gaat |
Note: Do not go to sleep immediately after the last night shift, but only a few hours between 10:30 and 14:00, followed by 30 minutes of light. Instead of 30 min, you can also use blue light, for example 2 × 15 min. 3 or 4x 15 min is also allowed. Only use blue light in combination with the light blue lenses.
Did you have a short night or do you need a power nap in the afternoon? The light glasses are also a suitable aid to maintain energy and mood. Remember blue light to stay awake and orange glasses to help you fall asleep. The gratus Propeaq TimeTooler app indicates exactly when it is time to wear the glasses and which glasses are needed.
Science journalist Diederik Jekel in conversation with Roelof Hut (Chronobiolog of the UMCG and visiting the Jeroen Bosch Hospital where Propeaq light glasses are discussed with Astrid Salet (Intensivist) and Jo van Bussel (Head of Intensive Care)
Propeaq’s blue light has a wavelength of 468 nanometers at an intensity of only 35 lux. The LEDs are just over half an inch (1.5cm) from the eyes and are harmless* for normal use. The LEDs are located 1.5 cm from the eye and are harmless in normal use *. 1 x 30 minutes of blue light per 24 hours is often sufficient. The light glasses do not have to be worn continuously for a long time. For those who already wear glasses, there are solutions with nose clip glasses Nooz optics or even prescription lenses. Thanks to a close collaboration with a renowned internationally operating lens manufacturer, Propeaq prescription glasses are also available from your own optician.
* In case of diseases of the retina, for example macular degeneration, we recommend using the light glasses. Insufficient research has been done into possible damage in these situations.
The Intensive Care Unit (IC) of the Jeroen Bosch Hospital (JBZ) completed the ‘Fit through the night’ project at the end of 2018. The insights have now been translated into policy at the department. The JHA project is explained in a shortened version of the NTR broadcast “Nachtwerk”. The integrated approach to reduce the adverse health consequences of night shifts appears to be a step in the right direction. Employees feel fitter than before the introduction of the new policy. A policy that rests on four core pillars: light therapy, healthy nutrition, power nap and roasting.
The promising results were published in the summer of 2020:
In addition to shifting the biological clock with light therapy, a power nap is a very effective way to get new energy. The JHA uses two options for this; a futuristic chair that closes around the user and provides a ‘zen moment’ with soothing music and massage. Another solution is a special bed with a vibration app. A power nap always lasts a maximum of 20 minutes. Lying down longer is tempting, but not desirable. One then feels more sleepy
Night shift employees tend to eat the wrong thing. The human metabolism is different at night than during the day. The kitchen prepares special meals for the night workers. These contain protein-rich, low-carbohydrate food with the correct fats. Think of vegetables, fruits and nuts, combined with fish if necessary. Employees experience less stomach pain or intestinal complaints. The long-term effect is mainly less chance of weight gain.
Being fit during the night shift is important for the quality of care and the health and sustainable employability of employees. To help staff stay healthy and fit during night shifts, StAZ has developed the app ‘Goedenacht’ together with SoFoKleS (the Social Fund for the Knowledge Sector). This free app is full of practical information and tips for staying vital and healthy during the night shift in a hospital.
The app contains useful tips, facts and tools. The ‘Survival kit’ contains recipes from a dietitian that you can rate with stars. In ‘Test yourself’ you will find facts and fables about working at night and with the pedometer you can discover whether you are moving enough.
The app is suitable for the operating systems iOS and Android and can be downloaded for free in the Apple App Store and on Google Play .
Nurses can largely create their own schedule. The result of flexible scheduling is that responsible planning is achieved more quickly and that employees are more satisfied than before.
Chrono Eyewear BV
Saal van Zwanenbergweg 11
5026 RM Tilburg
M: [email protected]
T: 013 631 631 3
Chamber of Commerce number 65602331
VAT number NL 856181122 B 01
Copyright 2021 Chrono Eyewear BV