Nightshift advice!

[LittleMy]

I’ve worked nightshift for almost a year now (was always day shift) and still struggle with day sleeping. I work in a busy dementia unit as a care assistant, we don’t get many opportunities to sit and use tablets, watch movies, read books etc as the workload is constant and I prefer to be busy anyway as the shift goes faster, but I guess those things would be useful if your job does involves sitting around a fair bit because it would keep you distracted enough not to fall asleep. I usually Tattle when I get a break, so you will likely see me around here if you’re up in the night.

I really struggled the first time I did n/s. I was even physically sick once. I’m now a lot more used to it although I think it’s having an effect on my general health (menstrual cycle in particular). I’ve read that can happen, something to do with changes in the body’s circadian rhythms.

These are some of the things I find essential for getting through the night shift.

1) Blackout blinds/curtains, earplugs and a good eye mask are essential for day sleeping.

2) Drink lots of water to keep hydrated. Aside from the odd cup of tea, that’s all I drink on a shift.

3) I eat a meal before my shift, so dinner as usual, and then bring some snacky bits for during the night to keep my energy up.

I often finish a shift and feel like I could devour a big meal as it feels like dinner time, but still just have usual breakfast (cereal, toast etc) as I try to keep my routine as normal as possible so that it’s not all over the shop on days off and I don’t end up piling on more weight.

 

[Mrs Cucumber]

I always have a can of fat coke and munch haribo tangtatics to keep myself awake lol, I take my kindle and download films/programmes from Netflix. I'm my nans carer so no boss checking on what I'm doing

 

[CherryAcid]

Where do you all work where you can watch Netflix? Another nurse here. Years ago we would able to have 2 hour breaks for naps and do cross stitch, read, etc, but those days seem to be long gone. I have to afternoon nap the day of first night shift. I have dinner and then have a snack and cuppa about 12. That's it til cuppa and teeth brush (essential) at about 5 and get going again. If I'm back on again that night I will basically try and sleep all day. If not, I sleep 8 til 11ish. You will soon get in the swing of things, think nights are the best thing ever and that going to bed in winter when everyone else is getting up is amazing and definitely the highlight of night shift. They aren't great long term however. One nurse I worked with ended up with bipolar disorder and the links to mental health and nightshift aren't great reading. The key is to make sure you get as much sleep as you would on days and you'll be fine.

I work in a hospital switchboard, as you can imagine my call volumes go right down overnight.

 

[Koakes]

I've worked nightshifts for the last 4 years as a home care nurse. For myself I go to bed at 8:30am and wake up between 4-5pm, I also found its so much easier on my body if I stay in the same routine on my days off as I do suffer sometimes with insomnia.

Getting up and moving and even just doing stretches help me immensely between 3-5 am when I tend to get sleepy.

And food I take more snacky things but I tend to be a snacker as opposed to a meal person

 

[ChloeW94]

Due to Covid my job role and shifts have changed and I’ll now be doing nightshift starting in a months time! I’ve never done a nightshift in my life and rather nervous about it.

What’s you guys advice on sleeping, eating/what food to take etc? It’ll be a boring 12 hour shift so going to take my iPad with me and had the idea (and wishful thinking that I can be arsed!) of taking some gym gear and doing a wee workout sometimes to stay active.

Any tips would be so appreciated!