I'm starting graveyard shift tonight ... any tips for staying awake when I drive home????

Answer 1

Lots of good suggestions here. But one more - if you find your eyes closing, pull over at the nearest safe spot and doze for a bit - it beats getting in an accident.

I remember once falling asleep at a traffic light on the way home from a 24-hour work time. It's scary.

Good luck, and be safe.

Answer 2

Next time, sleep in the afternoon b4 you start your shift. If you are going drink coffee/colas, drink em early in the shift, or you will be wide awake in the am when u get home and try to sleep. If you can work the graveyard shift permanently, it might be healthier than doing shift work (sometimes working during the day, sometimes working overnight). If you have a long drive home, consider staying at a cheap motel instead of fighting to stay awake (and risking a crash).

Answer 3

As the others said, rolling down your windows is a fair idea, but if it's too cold your boday can end up burn whatever minimal energy you have left trying to stay warm. I've worked some awful stretches in my day, and one thing that always helped me was talking or singing on the 30-mile ride home. The Vicks is a novel idea and might be worth a try. Beyond that, remember that you can be just as messed up when you're sleep-deprived as when you're intoxicated -- and if you get pulled over or worse get in an accident, the law will treat you in almost the same way.

Get by as long as you have to, but try to develop a workable sleep schedule ASAP. Stay away from drugs, as they'll only screw up your quality of sleep and make things harder in the long run. The sleep deprivation/drug thing is also bad for your heart, metabolism and just about every other bodily function.

You need to do what you need to do, but remember that your body will (hopefully) far outlast your job. If you find after a couple of weeks that you simply can't keep up with it, please do everything you can to put your health first.

Answer 4

Alright I do know one trick if youre traveling cross-country: take lots of rests. Truck stops are a must if you need to sleep, the truckers are pretty protective of other people that are traveling cross-country, so if you get hasseled theyll most likely help you out. Not only that but they're lighted. When youre taking breaks from driving take short walks. Also, never travel alone. For 2 reasons: 1) trade outs. 2) safety, just in case your car happens to break down. For short distances, avoid it at all costs! Trust me, Ive stayed the night at several of my friends house cuz I was too tired. Of course, all of my friends are like my family so theyre used to it. Hope that helped

Answer 5

Sometimes I had gigs where Im coming home at 4am...I would make myself uncomfortable - if its cold then turn on the AC - if its warm, turn on the heat....I would start yelling at myself...I would get those hot cinnamom candies ....if none of those work, then its better to pull off the road and take a quick 20 minutes snooze. No doubt your cell phone has an alarm.

Answer 6

Open the window with the AC on full blast. Turn some music up all the way and maybe stop at a filling station and buy some red bulls on your way home.

Answer 7

I have worked third for a long time now, the problem for me has been going to sleep not staying awake. Usualy, 'bout the time you get off in the morning, your wide awake. be sure to get vitamin d in your diet.

Answer 8

First, get a long nap before going in. And drink some coffee, tea or soda with caffeine before going home. It helps to keep your car cool, not too warm and cozy. Some fresh air helps too. Good luck.

Answer 9

Don't let your car feel warm & comfortable - warmth always makes you feel more tired & less energized. Crack your window to let cold air in, turn the music up loud (listen to rock, hip hop or something), & don't have your heat on high.

Answer 10

roll down windows, vicks vapor rub under the nose, drink coffee,run around the car a few times before leaving and sleep before you fo to work, i had a co-worker who worked at night and ran all day and she would fall on her face in food during breaks.