How to work night shift

Night shift work can be physically draining and put a strain on you and your family. While the rest of the world is going about their busy day, you will be doing your best to adjust your body to sleeping.Here are some tips that will help you modify your sleep patterns and make the transition easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A darkened room
• Down time after work
• A supportive family

1. Understand that you are going to be exhausted the first week or so of working the night shift. It takes about ten days for your body to get used to new sleep patterns.
2. Use the first few hours after you get off to do any important chores or errands. Make any business calls before you attempt to sleep for the day. Once the important things are out of the way, your mind will be ready to relax and sleep.
3. Enlist the help of your spouse or significant other to help you get the sleep you need. Have them field phone calls, visitors and other unneeded interruptions to your sleep. Also inform family and friends that you will be sleeping during certain hours and will not be available.
4. Set up your bedroom for the best sleep possible. Hang dark draperies over the windows and if necessary, invest in ear plugs to drown out everyday noises.
5. Invest in an answering machine and turn the telephone ringer off while you try to sleep. Disconnect the doorbell ringer if needed to allow you to get the rest you need.

Tips & Warnings

• It is often family members that have the hardest time understanding your need to sleep. Be firm, yet gentle, when reminding them that you need your rest in order to work.
• Try to get the equivalent of a full nights sleep each day. Short naps will not substitute for an extended sleep.
• Avoid caffeine during the last few hours of your shift and when you arrive home.
• Spend quality time with your family after you have awakened in the afternoon.

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