Clockwise or Counterclockwise? The Health Implications of Rotational Directions

In the bustling corridors of a modern hospital, the clock doesn’t just tick; it dictates the rhythm of life. For the nurses who navigate these halls, their shifts are more than just hours on a schedule; they are a dance with time itself, a dance that can profoundly affect their sleep, alertness, and work-life balance. This intricate relationship between time and health was the focus of a pivotal study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The research, titled “Effects of Clockwise and Counterclockwise Job Shift Work Rotation on Sleep and Work-Life Balance on Hospital Nurses,” delves into how the direction of shift rotation impacts the well-being of those who are the backbone of healthcare.

The study involved 100 female nurses from hospitals in Northern Italy, split into two groups: 50 working on a CW rotation schedule and 50 on a CCW rotation. The CW rotation followed the sequence of morning, afternoon, night shifts, and then two rest days, while the CCW rotation had a sequence of afternoon, morning, morning, night shifts, followed by three rest days.

Key findings from the study include:

• Sleep Duration and Quality: Nurses on the CW rotation schedule reported longer sleep duration (7.40 ± 2.24 hours) compared to those on the CCW rotation (6.09 ± 1.73 hours). Additionally, CW nurses experienced fewer awakenings during sleep and felt more rested at the start of their shifts.
• Work Performance and Alertness: CW nurses reported fewer instances of attention disturbance during work compared to their CCW counterparts. This suggests that the direction of shift rotation can significantly impact alertness and cognitive function during work hours.
• Work-Life Balance: The study also highlighted the impact of shift rotation on social and family life. Nurses on the CCW rotation reported a higher interference with their social and family life compared to those on the CW rotation.

This research is crucial as it sheds light on the often-overlooked aspect of shift work – the direction of rotation. It suggests that CW rotating shift schedules might be more conducive to better sleep, reduced work-related attention disturbances, and a more balanced work-life integration for hospital nurses.

The Eye of Revelation

Peter Kelder‘s book, “The Eye of Revelation,” introduces the Five Tibetan Rites, a system of exercises reported to be over 2,500 years old. These rites are a form of Tibetan yoga, emphasizing a continuous sequence of movement, which is somewhat different from the static positions often found in Indian yoga forms.

In “The Eye of Revelation,” Kelder describes the Five Tibetan Rites as exercises that were taught to a retired British army officer, Colonel Bradford, by Tibetan lamas. These exercises are said to involve spinning and movement that affect seven spinning “psychic vortexes” within the body. As people age, the spin rate of these vortexes reportedly diminishes, leading to ill-health. However, performing the Five Rites daily is said to restore the spin rate of these vortexes, thereby improving health.

One of the key aspects of the First Rite, as described in Kelder’s book, is the direction of spinning. Kelder emphasizes that spinning must always be performed in a clockwise direction. This direction is significant because it aligns with the practices of Tibetan Buddhist yoga, where clockwise rotation is considered favorable. In contrast, counter-clockwise rotation is viewed as unfavorable. This specific direction of movement is crucial to the practice of the Rites as described by Kelder.

In conclusion, the study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and the teachings from Peter Kelder’s “The Eye of Revelation” converge on a singular, profound insight: the direction of our actions, whether in the rotation of shift work or in the spinning exercises of the Five Tibetan Rites, holds significant implications for our well-being.

For the hospital nurses in Northern Italy, the clockwise rotation of their shifts proved to be more than a mere scheduling detail. It emerged as a key factor in enhancing their sleep quality, maintaining alertness, and achieving a healthier work-life balance. This finding underscores the importance of considering the orientation of work schedules in healthcare settings, not just for operational efficiency but for the holistic well-being of the staff.

Similarly, in the realm of Tibetan yoga, the emphasis on clockwise spinning in the Five Tibetan Rites aligns with traditional beliefs and practices, suggesting a deeper, perhaps even spiritual, significance to the direction of movement. Kelder’s account of these rites as a means to rejuvenate and maintain health further echoes the idea that the direction in which we move and organize our lives can have profound effects on our physical and mental health.

It’s worth noting also that this topic holds a particular fascination for me, and I plan to continue my research into how the rotation of the body affects health, such as in ballet. Intriguingly, I have observed instances that suggest counter-clockwise rotation also has its benefits. This is especially noteworthy considering that in many aspects of the world, rotation is often organized counter-clockwise, such as in circus arenas. This observation opens up a new dimension to my research, challenging me to explore the potential advantages of different rotational directions and their impact on health and performance. This exploration could unveil a more nuanced understanding of how directional movement, whether in professional settings like healthcare or in the arts like ballet, influences our physical and mental well-being.