[250] - Radio 3AW - Australia Overnight - Special Guest Dr OIivia Walch - 15-05-2025

Text me what you thought of the show 😊When was the last time you experienced real darkness—so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face? According to mathematician and sleep expert Dr. Olivia Walch, our modern “light diet” may be silently sabotaging our sleep.In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Walch breaks down the surprising science behind circadian rhythms and why obsessing over “8 hours a night” misses the point. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of sleep timing, consistency, and how exposure to artificial light is throwing our internal clocks into chaos.You’ll learn:Why irregular sleep patterns are like an arrhythmic heartbeatHow just one week of camping without artificial light resets your sleep cycleWhy shift workers are facing a public health crisis — and what can helpHow light exposure during the day (and darkness at night) can dramatically improve your sleep“We need to think about rhythm and sleep,” says Dr. Walch. “Light is the most powerful cue we have.”Whether you're a shift worker, a night owl, or just tired of being tired, this conversation will give you practical strategies to align your sleep with your body’s natural rhythm.Try This Tonight:Go into your bedroom, turn off the lights, and wait a few minutes. If you can see your hand in front of your face, it’s not dark enough.Want more? Check out Dr. Walch’s book: “Sleep Groove: Why Your Body Clock Is So Mixed Up and What To Do About It” — a practical guide to getting your rhythm back on track.Follow Dr. Olivia Walch on Instagram: arca.scopeSupport the show----------------------------Roger Sutherland is Australia's Night Shift & Sleep Specialist and the founder of A Healthy Shift.After more than 40 years working rotating shifts with Victoria Police, Roger now helps organisations reduce fatigue risk, improve staff wellbeing and build healthier, safer and higher-performing 24/7 workplaces through evidence-based education, circadian biology and the Shift Work Champions™ Framework.Shift Work Champions™: https://join.ahealthyshift.com/shift-work-capabilityWebsite: https://ahealthyshift.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-sutherlandInstagram: @a_healthy_shift___________________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._______________________