i've just recently started working the night shift 7pm to 7am (2 consecutive shifts per 8days) does anyone have any tips. i'm struggling!
2007-06-03 10:30:33 · 21 answers · asked by Sugar_Flip 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
plenty of sleep before shift and lots of coffee
2007-06-03 10:34:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband just switched back to working graveyard shift at the county jail, and it's against our religion to drink coffee. So, he gets as much sleep during the day as he can, gets up and walks around when he can(he is a controller, so he's in a dark room watching monitors all night), and he talks to co-workers or listens to music or comedians while he works.
I hope this helps!
2007-06-03 10:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by tsoto_soto 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once your body is on the routine...it gets easier.
Sleep during the day- and for the first few weeks, take it easy in your off hours to get your body used to it.
Drink caffeine and stay moving when you feel sleepy.
Your body is meant to be sleeping at night which is why it is so hard. my husband has worked nights for years and he still struggles with staying up and going to sleep when it's light outside. After a time, it will get easier.
Hang in there and take care of you!
2007-06-03 11:52:31 · answer #3 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For most people the wall comes at about 5 a.m. That is why armies attack at that time.
Try to work out a schedule that you can keep the rest of the week. Try to get 8 or so hours at the same time every day. In short just try to readjust your circadian rhythm one time only not every week.
I never did coffee or most other stimulants, Just don't like the way they feel. Most of the time your off work body will crave easy for the quick serotonin fix, try not to give in. Save the carbs for a small before bed snack.
A fairly large dose of time release melatonin, up to 15 mg, about an hour before your new sleep time will help. Do it for a couple of days only then tapper off. Whatever time your new morning starts try to get at least 15 minutes of real daylight within an hour of getting up. Strong artificial light works but not as well. I used either black out shades or masks for sleeping. Whatever try to eliminate light just before and when you sleep.
In my job we used to rotate our 8.5 hour shifts every 28 days. We had to try to re-establish a pattern once a month. It was a killer. I volunteered to stay working the midnight to 8 am shift and that worked well as long as I did not have to stay up to late (for me) going to court.
I keep saying try. The human body is not meant for such work but you do what you gotta do.
Good luck
2007-06-03 12:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is going to be a tough transition to work hours that you are used to sleeping. Try and start slowly changing your sleep patterns before you return so that your body will be used to it. Depending on what kind of job you are going to be doing, if you start to get sleepy during your shift, stand up and stretch. As for sleeping during the day when you will have the kids, take advantage of naps and quiet time. Eventually you and the kids will get used to the schedule change.
2016-05-20 04:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just have to wait until your body adjusts to a new pattern. When you hit the 'tiredness wall' as we like to call it you just have to fight through and it should pass. My brother worked nights for a long time and his sleep pattern adjusted but he always needed more sleep than when he worked through the day. he would normally go to bed at 7am and wake up at 6pm!!
Just perservere. I'm afraid there is no magic fix!
2007-06-03 10:48:44 · answer #6 · answered by angelcakes_and_coffee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get plenty of sleep during the day and in work listen to music or try and keep busy so u dont think about getting tired.
2007-06-03 10:34:36 · answer #7 · answered by David K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleep as much as you can during the day, and caffeine pills, Red Bull, Monster energy drinks might help you.
2007-06-03 10:39:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked this same kind of shift when I worked at the Hospital...lots of coffee...
and I mean lots...good luck.
2007-06-03 10:35:38 · answer #9 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you get home in the morning, have breakfast ,
and do a few jobs (don't go straight to bed).
I am retired now but spent 30 years doing a month about
on night shift.Good luck.
2007-06-03 10:49:27 · answer #10 · answered by mickjack 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋