working nights

debrag

I don't really like working night but I have to as part of my job on a hospital ward.

How do people deal with them? When do they sleep, eat,etc
I never get much sleep as I cant't sleep during the day very well Thankfully we only do 3 a week,2 together then 1 later on.

shop-to-drop

Eye masks are good, never tried ear plugs for sleeping in the day but worth a try. During the winter I have a hot water bottle and go off like a baby.

debrag

I wear ear plugs as my other half snores and I can't stand any type of noise from the nose or throat lol Other than that noise or light doesn't bother me unless its screaming kids or building work. I just never seem to be able to sleep for more than a few hours.

Like right now I'm up and I have a night shift tonight.

shop-to-drop

I do think working part time nights is hard, I work two, tues and thurs a week. The full timers get into a good routine and feel quite normal but part time is tough. Food wise I tend to try and stick to eating during the day and not eating too much when working at night. I find that if I eat at night as well I am eating too much and my body gets out of rhythm.

sniggings

it's just your body clock then, your make to sleep at night so it's normal to be able to sleep during the day. If you were to get used to it then it will most likely mess up your night time sleeping, so you can't win.

So you only work nights? your body clock will reset itself if you stick to the same routine long enough.

debrag

nope I work 13 shifts in 4 weeks 12.5 hrs a shift. Mostly days but some nights.

sparklefrog

I work 2 days and 2 nights a week. I find if all else fails, phenergan doesn't

debrag

wow 2 days and 2 nights each week I couldn't do that.

sniggings

debrag wrote: »

nope I work 13 shifts in 4 weeks 12.5 hrs a shift. Mostly days but some nights.

Oh right just you saying "Thankfully we only do 3 a week,2 together then 1 later on" it wasn't too clear.

sparklefrog

You get used to it. the night shifts are fixed, just gets a bit rough if they give me a saturday night then a monday day.

Theres a few things I have found that help

earplugs
make sure the room you are sleeping in is dark
Try not to drink too much towards the end of your shift or you will be up at 11am for a pee (urine output drops naturally overnight and increases in daylight, thats why you get cankles towards the end of your shift)
I have found an electric underblanket a godsend, Put it on when you get home, go do the bits you need to do and by the time you go to bed its warm, I get really shut down after a night shift and cant warm up at all, this makes a huge difference)

debrag

I go right to bed when I get in, I can't stay up any longer lol usually sleep 10am - 3pm