Shaun27

I've been working full time nights for 6 years now and when I occasionally work days cannot sleep at night, I think I am fully accustomed to it..... I can only sleep at night on the weekends off because I've had a skinfull..... The worst thing is your neighbours starting to bang about doing some DIY just as you're trying to nod off..... I never get much sleep during my time off in the day though, at the moment I probably average about 4 hours, nowhere near enough.....

astraboy

Similar situation I have is attending all night parties more or less every weekend.
After caning caffiene tablets all night I am usually pretty wired by the time I get and seeing as I always go out driving on Sunday nights with my mates and then be at work by 9am on Monday then I have to get some sleep during the day.
I do this by:
Getting somthing to eat at Waterloo station to restart my digestive system (usually a BLT french stick from uppercrust. Yum.)
Trying my damdest not to fall asleep on the train home.
Riding my bike as gently home as possible.
Get home and drink a 1/2 pint of milk and take a multivitamin tablet.
Long hot shower to relax.
go to bed.
If I'm still up on the proplus by then, then I play Metal Gear Solid 2 till I feel tired (this can take upto 4 hours though)
If all else fails then I take some KALMS herbal sleeping tablets. These work fairly quickly but knock me spark out for 8 hours which is too long for me to go out Sunday night so They are last resort only.
astraboy.

P1Fanatic

Ouch - I get 27 days and have only been here 2 years. Dont think I could handle 7 on 7 off as 4 is pretty taxing when its busy. At least doing 4 youve got a good chance of having a fri, sat or sun off.

Edited to say been here 2 years not 1.

[Edited by P1Fanatic - 5/11/2002 9:45:03 PM]

paulr

Ok...have read through most of 'Chelle's links........to summarise if you cant be bothered ....

1.Try to eat at normal times,and avoid big meals during the night when its better to have small snacks.Also,after a night shift have a small snack in the morning,before going to bed.Your body is expecting food in the morning.

2.If you worry about being tired on your first nightshift an afternoon nap,if you can,helps;ie 1-2 hours between 1pm and 5pm.

3.Wind down after night shift for maybe an hour or so,better than going straight to bed.

4.Avoid too much caffiene,(not sure about this,it helps me stay awake)

5.Its better to have shifts together,ie 4 nights in a row,instead of night-day-night etc.



[Edited by paulr - 5/12/2002 8:51:37 PM]