can anyone help with night shifts?

Question

I work shifts and find the nights really hard..when i come off the first day i cant sleep...and staying awake too...without coca cola! any help?

Answer 1

six cans of stella helped me

Answer 2

Hi Tiny,
I have been on sort of 24 hour call, six days a week in the Mid-East, and eventually got the hang of it by sleeping in power sub-stations at 3am in remote parts with a decent hip-flask of rum.
I would then take three days out on the boat to sort the head out a bit. Then back to "normal"
My Dad, bless him, worked on shifts as a colliery electrician in Northumberland, many moons ago, and did either the 12 - 8 pm bit, then the following week perhaps the 8pm to 4am bit.
Always given at least a two day break in between, for his clock to re-adjust. That is how it should be when operating nights as well as days.
I'm sure that some working practice regulations are in place, and perhaps worth checking out. I suppose that such fine folks as those that operate 24 hr petrol stations, of hotel night staff etc.
just get the pattern of sleeping until afternoon.
Not a natural situation, but can be done.
Oh, I just had to be quiet when coming in from school, as "Dad is asleep"
So as for sleeping properly after doing a night routine, I & he found that a darn good stiff drink, and a good book seemed to work OK.
All the best with it.
Bob.

Answer 3

Your body will take some time to adjust to sleeping thru the day. When you work days you have a "wind down" time of a few hours before you go to bed, and you should try and do this when working nights. If you stick to a bedtime at night, make sure you stick to a bedtime during the day. Get some dark curtains to block out the light. Use earplugs to block out the noise. You may find that you wake up a few times, but hopefully as you do more night shifts the frequency of this should decrease.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Green tea. Has a mild amount of caffeine, which acts as a stimulant to keep you awake. But green tea is also relaxing, in my experience, and doesn't interfere with sleep so long as you don't overdo it (like more than 10 cups) and don't drink it right before you are about to sleep. It's the single best and healthiest choice, I think.

Also, working out and exercising regularly (especially before starting work) will give you the energy to stay awake. Trying biking (stationary or actual), jogging or briskly walking, in addition to stretching. You should still rest 7-9 hours, based on what you need, for a full night's rest when possible.

Answer 5

I am on shifts in my job as Security Guard and it is tough.
The question is do you just work night shifts or are you on "Rotating shifts" which is far far more nackering.

If you are working nights all the time, the best way to adapt is to stay awake on those nights you are not working aswell as nights when working, such as by watching TV or (say) staying on Yahoo Answers so your body will then get used to fact you sleep in the day every day. Also I sleep after my night shifts in a very dark cupboard with just a mattress (no bed) and a fan. It is blacker than the blackhole of Calcutta and nice and cool and with 2 doors between me and outside I do not hear traffic nor dogs nor children making noises outside like I used to in bedroom. I thereby find I go out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow unless I am stressed, in which case self-hypnosis works best to get myself relaxed (can give you details on that if you need them??).

BUT if on rotating shifts that is the killer, the hardest bit being having to get up at 4-30AM in morning to start my day shift at 6AM when already utterly nackered from my batch of nights. It is easy for people to say get another job, but the problem is I and my dependents need my wages and I can not get another job. Perhaps you are more fortunate? Anyway welcome to Hell and good luck.

Answer 6

Do not be tempted to try melatonin. That will REALLY mess up your sleep patterns.

Your quality of sleep is never as good, when you are on nightshift. You need a dark room ,and silence. Try earplugs.

You are not drinking codffee to stay awake through the night, are you? that's a killer.


It hepls if your employer allows you to have a nap after lunch, like midnight or whatever.

But remember that some people NEVER get used to night shifts. If it doesn't work out for you, don't do it. It's not worth it.

Answer 7

I did night shifts at the Post Office for a year and hated it.
The human body has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to being a daytime animal. By staying awake at night you're simply going against nature.
Shift work knocks about a decade off your life expectancy.
Is it worth it?

Answer 8

swimming!!! the best thing to do after a night shift guaranteed to pass out as soon as you hit the pillow. a close Friend does it after every first night with no coca cola!

Answer 9

when you get in on your first day off shift, read, this will really make you tired, but make sure you have set your alarm to wake you up about 4-5 hours later, this will ensure you get some sleep that night, and should put your sleeping pattern back, don't try drugs or drink

Answer 10

most people are a little wound up when they first come home, you need to find something to help you relax, maybe read something, drink some chamomile tea or that sleep time tea they sell at the supermarket, then relax and sleep putting up room darkening shades helps too

Answer 11

Sorry Tiny, but I read somewhere that we aren't designed to be nocturnal, and your body won't ever fully adjust to night-shifts. I think you should try finding another job, rather than punish your body with artificial stimulants.