Activity-Dependent Epigenetic Regulation of Stress, Sleep Disruption, and Affective Symptoms in Tourism Shift Workers

Abstract

Shift work in the tourism sector is associated with elevated stress, sleep disruption, and affective disturbances. Emerging evidence suggests that these outcomes are mediated, in part, by activity-dependent epigenetic modifications, which dynamically regulate gene expression in response to environmental and occupational stressors. Stress and circadian misalignment activate the hypothalamic-pituitary–adrenal axis, influencing DNA methylation, histone modifications, and transcriptional programs in neural circuits involved in mood and sleep regulation. Circadian disruption alters sleep architecture and clock-gene activity, producing long-term epigenetic effects that may exacerbate affective symptoms. Epidemiological data from tourism shift workers indicate differential susceptibility to these stressors, highlighting individual variability in coping and health outcomes. Understanding the interplay between shift work, epigenetic regulation, and psychological health offers a mechanistic framework for targeted interventions to promote well-being in high-demand occupational settings.