• [385] - Cabin Crew Health: How to Stay Healthy Through Long Haul Flights
    Jun 28 2026
    Text me what you thought of the show 😊Long haul cabin crew work is one of the most demanding forms of shift work. Crossing multiple time zones, disrupted sleep, irregular meal times, constant passenger interaction, and high-pressure safety responsibilities all place enormous strain on the body.In this episode, Roger Sutherland draws on nearly 40 years of shift work experience, his background as a certified nutritionist, and conversations with long haul cabin crew to explain why this role is so challenging and, more importantly, what can be done to reduce the impact.Roger introduces the four biological drivers that influence every shift worker's health: sleep, light, food timing and movement. He explains how understanding these factors can help cabin crew improve energy, recover faster between flights, reduce fatigue, improve digestion and protect their long-term health.Whether you're flying internationally every week or simply interested in managing jet lag and irregular schedules, this episode provides practical, evidence-based strategies you can begin using immediately.In This Episode• Why long haul cabin crew may have one of the toughest shift work jobs in the world• The hidden physical and mental demands behind every flight• How circadian rhythm disruption affects sleep, energy and health• The four biological drivers every shift worker should understand: • Sleep • Light • Food timing • Movement• When to stay on your home time zone and when to adjust to local time• How to improve sleep during flights using routines, breathwork and strategic napping• Why 30-minute naps and 90-minute sleep cycles work best• How to reduce sleep anxiety before early departures• The importance of banking sleep before long haul flights• Nutrient timing strategies to reduce digestive issues and improve recovery• Foods to prioritise and foods to limit while travelling• Why female cabin crew face additional biological challenges and practical ways to support hormone and digestive health• Breathwork techniques to reduce stress and improve sleep quality• Managing fatigue with smart caffeine use• Exercise recommendations after long haul flights• Why walking and low-intensity exercise can improve recovery• The importance of regular blood tests and health screening• Sleep medications versus natural sleep• When melatonin may help—and when it can make things worse• Supplements discussed: • Creatine Monohydrate • Omega-3 • Vitamin D • Zinc • Iron and Vitamin B (when appropriate)• Sleep products and tools Roger recommends for frequent travellersKey TakeawaysLong haul flying creates significant circadian disruption, but understanding your biology allows you to work with your body instead of against it.Small changes in sleep timing, light exposure, meal timing and movement can have a major impact on energy, recovery and long-term health.Strategic naps, proper recovery routines and evidence-based supplementation may help reduce fatigue and improve performance across multiple time zones.Who This Episode Is ForThis episode is ideal for:• International cabin crew • Flight attendants • Airline pilots • Frequent business travellers • FIFO workers • Emergency services personnel • Healthcare workers • Anyone working rotating shifts or experiencing regular jet lagResources Mentioned• Manta Sleep Mask Pro • Ozlo Sleepbuds • Creatine Monohydrate • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) • Vitamin D • Zinc Picolinate • Breathwork techniquesConnect with RogerTo learn more about Roger's coaching, recommended products and shift work education, visit:ahealthyshift.com@a_healthy_shiftIf You Enjoyed This EpisodeIf you found this episode helpful, please hit follow and turn on notifications, leave a review and share it with someone working shift work or long haul aviation. Every share helps more shift workers improve their health, sleep and performance. Support the show----------------------------YOU CAN FIND ME ATWebsiteInstagramLinkedInShift Work Health and Wellbeing SeminarsOne2One Coaching/Consult_____________________Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death._______________________
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • [384]- Your host on Radio 3AW - Talk Back Radio 22-06-2026
    Jun 21 2026

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    Roger Sutherland returns from a Mediterranean cruise with fresh eyes on what keeps your energy stable and what quietly knocks it off course. We unpack jet lag like a body clock problem you can plan for, then pivot to a blunt chat about Victoria’s “new normal” and the habits we have all drifted into since COVID.

    • Mediterranean cruise routines, walking volume, gym habits and why it matters
    • Choosing alcohol free options, what changed after COVID drinking patterns
    • Reframing exercise as everyday movement for glucose and mental health
    • Pickleball as a social, low impact way to get fit
    • Safety and policing visibility, why presence shifts behaviour and confidence
    • Infrastructure frustration, roadworks fatigue and the boiling frog effect
    • Jet lag and shift work overlap, using circadian rhythm cues to recover faster
    • Practical reset plan, light exposure, meal timing and movement after landing
    • Caller tips, walking on flights and switching to destination time

    People want to contact you. The best way to do that is a healthy shift.com or on Instagram to a underscore healthy underscore shift.


    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    36 mins
  • [383] - Psychological Health Is Now Law – What Every Victorian Shift Worker Must Know
    Jun 14 2026

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    We unpack Victoria’s new Psychological Health Regulations and explain how they turn fatigue, trauma exposure and roster design into legal duties for employers. We share practical controls, outline your rights to request reviews and show how culture must shift from toughness to compliance.

    • definition of psychosocial hazards under the act
    • why mindfulness or training alone is not a control
    • roster design, staffing and recovery as legal controls
    • proactive risk assessment and continuous review
    • meaningful consultation with health and safety reps
    • how to report hazards and trigger a review
    • culture clashes between tradition and compliance
    • practical examples for policing, healthcare and transport

    Please share this episode with your colleagues and management because it’s important.

    If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to hit follow and turn on notifications so you get notified whenever a new episode is released.

    Links to the Act and Regulation referred to in the episode

    Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

    Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025

    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    17 mins
  • [382] - Gym After Night Shift… Or Go Straight To Bed
    Jun 7 2026

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    After a night shift, there’s always the same question: do you push through a workout, or do you go home and sleep?

    In this episode, I break down why the “always train no matter what” mindset can backfire for shift workers, especially after long nights spent fighting against your body clock.

    Exercise is a stressor, and after 12 hours under bright lights, overstimulated, dehydrated, and exhausted, another intense session can sometimes do more harm than good.

    • Why hard training after night shift can disrupt recovery and sleep
    • What your body is actually trying to do after a long night awake
    • The role of melatonin and cortisol in post-shift recovery
    • The difference between recovery movement and performance training
    • Why fatigue increases injury risk and affects coordination
    • How bright morning light and gym lighting can interfere with sleep signals
    • The truth about pre-workout supplements and caffeine after night shift
    • Why sleep deprivation changes how your body handles stress
    • How to make post-shift training work if it’s your only option
    • Why shorter, lower-intensity sessions are often the smarter choice
    • The importance of hydration, movement quality, and recovery
    • Why sometimes the healthiest option is simply going straight to bed

    For shift workers, sleep isn’t laziness—it’s recovery.

    If this episode helped, subscribe for more evidence-based shift work strategies, share it with someone working nights, and leave a rating and review to help more shift workers find the support they need.

    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    17 mins
  • [381] - Why Every 24/7 Workplace Needs Shift Work Champions
    May 31 2026

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    Shift work doesn’t fall apart because people don’t care. Most of the time, it falls apart because the hardest moments happen when people are exhausted, understaffed, and just trying to get through the shift.

    In this episode, I talk to leaders, managers, HR teams, and anyone responsible for workplace wellbeing about what I believe is missing in most 24/7 industries: trained shift work champions inside the workplace.

    • Why workplace wellbeing strategies often fail in real-world shift environments
    • What a real shift work champion actually looks like
    • Why peer-to-peer support works better than posters and one-off seminars
    • How workplace culture affects fatigue, recovery, and decision making
    • The role of sleep, circadian rhythm, nutrition, stress, and boundaries in shift worker health
    • Why practical support matters more than motivation alone
    • How fatigue impacts performance, safety, and team culture
    • The hidden cost of doing nothing, including burnout, turnover, and unplanned leave
    • Why industries like healthcare, emergency services, transport, mining, and manufacturing are especially vulnerable
    • How shift work champions can improve sustainability, retention, and safety across teams

    If you’re interested in building shift work champions within your workplace, there’s a link in the show notes where you can reach out and learn more.

    If this episode helped, subscribe, share it with a leader who needs to hear it, and leave a rating and review to help more shift workers find the support they deserve.

    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    18 mins
  • [380] - Should I be getting daylight after nightshift
    May 24 2026

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    The hardest part of night shift might not be the shift itself—it’s the sunrise on the drive home.

    A lot of shift workers hear “get morning sunlight” and assume more light is always better. But after a night shift, that same morning light can push your body into full daytime mode and make sleep almost impossible.

    In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening in your body and why blue light plays such a big role in post-shift sleep disruption.

    • Why morning sunlight can make daytime sleep harder after night shift
    • What blue light does to your brain and circadian rhythm
    • How special eye cells called ipRGCs signal wakefulness to your body clock
    • Why melatonin drops and alertness rises after light exposure
    • Why sleep after night shift becomes lighter and easier to interrupt
    • How orange lens blue light blocking glasses can help protect daytime sleep
    • When to put blue blockers on for the best effect
    • Why cheap “blue filter” glasses often don’t work properly
    • Why cloudy mornings still expose you to strong blue light
    • How screens, TVs, and bright LEDs can keep your brain switched on
    • Practical ways to improve sleep, energy, and recovery after nights

    If you want better daytime sleep and a routine that actually works with night shift, this episode will help.

    If it helped, subscribe, share it with someone working nights, and leave a rating and review so more shift workers can find the support they should’ve been taught from the beginning.

    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    22 mins
  • [379] - 7 days is all it will take, simple
    May 17 2026

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    Shift work can leave you feeling flat, wired, hungry, and foggy, even when you’re trying to do everything right. Most of the time, it’s not a motivation problem. It’s a timing problem.

    When your body clock can’t line up with your roster and environment, social jet lag takes over. Your energy drops, sleep quality suffers, and your appetite starts to feel all over the place.

    In this episode, we focus on the three most powerful signals that help reset your rhythm and make shift work feel more manageable.

    • Why timing, not effort, is often the real issue for shift workers
    • How social jet lag affects your energy, sleep, and appetite
    • Why early daylight is the strongest signal for your body clock
    • How meal timing impacts metabolism and blood sugar control
    • Why eating based on “being awake” can backfire on night shift
    • How simple outdoor movement helps boost alertness and recovery
    • Why you don’t need intense workouts—just better timing
    • How stacking light and movement can improve energy fast
    • A simple 7-day challenge to test this in your real routine
    • The key signs to track: energy, alertness, sleep, and overall rhythm

    This is a simple, practical approach you can actually try without overthinking it.

    If this helped, subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode, share it with someone on shift, and leave a rating and review to help more people find the show.

    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    16 mins
  • [378] - The Human Behind the Mask
    May 14 2026

    Text me what you thought of the show 😊

    Some people can look calm, capable, and completely in control on shift… while quietly falling apart underneath it all.

    In this episode, I talk honestly about “the mask” many shift workers wear, and the toll it can take over time. This conversation is for anyone regularly exposed to trauma at work, including police, paramedics, nurses, firefighters, vets, vet nurses, dental teams, and other high-stress professions.

    • Why “moving on” isn’t the same as actually processing trauma
    • How repeated exposure to stress can keep your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight
    • Why trauma isn’t just mental, but also physical and stored in the body
    • How stress can show up as poor sleep, hypervigilance, aches, irritability, emotional distance, and burnout
    • What happens when you bring “the mask” home to your family
    • Why partners often end up walking on eggshells without understanding why
    • The early warning signs your nervous system is overloaded
    • Why your mental health needs regular maintenance, just like a car
    • How trauma-informed breathwork can help regulate stress and release tension safely
    • Why you don’t always need to relive every detail to begin healing

    If the mask is getting heavy, there’s a link in the show notes where you can book a one-off session or a 15-minute coaching assessment.

    If this episode helped, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a rating and review to help more shift workers find the show.

    Support the show

    ----------------------------

    YOU CAN FIND ME AT

    Website

    Instagram

    LinkedIn

    • Shift Work Health and Wellbeing Seminars
    • One2One Coaching/Consult

    _____________________

    Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

    _______________________

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    20 mins