The night shift...yawn

Re: The night shift...yawn

hissycat — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:47:04 GMT

Well I have just had 5 hours and don't feel too bad (only fit to lounge around the house though- as ever ) Think I would rather be tired for a bit and have a reasonably early night than sleep all day, up all night and knackered tomorrow! Unfortunately we cannot sleep at all on a shift. I don't think it helps that I seem to need a lot of sleep (easily go 12 hours) . I've tried having less but doesn't make me feel better. Was thinking I may have a medical problem as so exhausted at times but nothing showed up so I guess its purely down to work! I will try the sheep thing, I find it hard to hold an image though as my mind is often racing all over the place. I have tried the non herbal 'druggy' Nytol but found it knocked me out for a couple of days (slept a lot though...) May try the herbal one instead then. I have invested in some earplugs and a sleep mask, found it uncomfortable though so got some very dark curtains instead. I Have been thinking about getting one of those sunlight simulating alarm clocks, see if that would make a difference. They are quite expensive though so if anyone has experience of them I would love to hear. Thanks all for replies, I will take all on board all suggestions. Maybe hissycat will one day be happycat

Re: The night shift...yawn

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:16:26 GMT

When I worked nights, I always had my normal sleeping hours within a 24hr period.

I am an 8 hour sleeper, so if I managed to grab a couple of hours during the night, I would then sleep 6 hours at home, thus getting my 8 hours. I never felt knackered doing it this way. I think once you either dont sleep enough or go beyond your normal sleep pattern, then you feel washed out.If I had slept 10 hours instead of the 8 I would end up knocking my pattern and ultimately be tired.

Dont sleep beyond your normal hours, as this is what prevents you from sleeping properly the following night.It worked for me.I was told to do this from a Girl who had been doing nights for 6 years constant, and I have to say I am glad I took her advice, as previous to that like most on here, I was a washed out rag.

Re: The night shift...yawn

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:24:15 GMT

I tend to be just a night worker. Have just done (ended sunday night) an 11 night stint of mixed 13-23 and 17:30-03:30 and go from the 03:30 end into the 13:00 start so am just recovering. Other than that l do loads of 22-8am and did that shift for 6 years or 7 l loose track. Have been doing nights for 9 years in total.

l find that once alseep l am gone but it can be shortish sleeps. Getting to sleep because of light/noise etc is never a problem so l am very lucky.

My main thing is that my body is just basically screwed so last night l went to bed about 1:30 but then got up as l was to awake and ended up in bed 3:30 and awake at 8am l had a phone call to make for my folks. I am tired now and have a lot on so wont fall asleep today during the day but usually find when off duty and not busy l need some power naps.If l fall asleep on the settee in the evening that's bad news as l know l wont sleep well at night... and l fell asleep yesterday evening.

I have never used any sleep aids working on the theory that when l am tired l will sleep. If l have problems l count sheep. You have to hold the look of the sheep in your mind, you will find it soon is just a number jumping over a fence. I stop at this point and restart at one and hold the whole image, l soon fall asleep out of boredom.

I always use however much time l can scrounge to have a good sleep. I have tried staying awake at the end of the shift till the next night to kick my body clock back to normal but it made no difference. If my body wants to sleep then l get some sleep if it is at all possible for me thats the best thing to do.

Re: The night shift...yawn

Maisy — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:01:50 GMT

When I worked for a vet hospital we used to do night shifts and it really messed up your body clock, especially as we might end up doing 2/3 a week (not in good patterns like actual night only work has!). I would have a lot of trouble sleeping and may only get 2-3 hours as I can't sleep during the day so was constantly tired. I ended up trying Nytol which is a more herbal remedy than actual prescription sleeping tablets. This worked really well, and I also invested in a dark eye mask to block out light which can also affect your sleep.

Hope this helps!