My hours have changed a little and I’m just getting used to them. Its a little odd working nights. Anyone have any suggestions for what worked for them in making the timing/transition work?
I worked nights for over 30 years, mostly 12 hours. I kept my sleep schedule through the week, with a little adjustment.
I’d go to sleep at 8:00AM on the day after work. On nights off, I’d go to bed about 3:00am.
No matter when I went to sleep, I’d give myself a full 8 hours for sleep. After working, I wouldn’t make plans for the next day before 3:00 PM, even if I wasn’t working the next night.
I’d turn off the phone while sleeping, since no one who doesn’t work nights understands about day sleepers.
If you’re switching long-term one of the best thing to do is treat it like normal hours. If you normally wake up 3 hours before work and go to sleep 5 hours after work keep it up. That way your body can keep at least some of your old rythems. This is what I did when I was working nights on a week on week off schedule.
Of course if you’re only doing it short term or you want to be able to reintegrate into normal society easily I’d suggest that you treat it more like going out to the bars. Get a nap before you go to work then wake up and eat dinner. Work but don’t eat more then a snack or two. Once you get off eat breakfast then crash. Wake up around noon and eat lunch and try to function in normal society until its time for your pre work nap. This is what my buddy who is a cop does so he can spend time with his wife and kid and he works a 4 on 3 off schedule.
I’ve been on nights for about 9 years. Block the sunlight from your bedroom! You can get blackout curtains but I just sewed some curtains out of black towels. If the world outside is too noisy, a white noise machine or a fan can work wonders.
Whatever you do, try to get 8 hours sleep, and be prepared for people who don’t “get it”; it’s amazing how members of my own family STILL chide me for “sleeping all day” - they seem to think I should be able to work all night, run around all day, and just take a quick nap before going back to work.
Don’t use the coolers for sex. Chuck doesn’t like that one bit.
I know a couple of respiratory therapists who make absolutely no change in their daily routine just because they work nights.
That is, with a few exceptions (like emergencies, unforseen events), they stay awake all night even on their days off. They said it kept their “body clock” regular.
I, too, used to work nights at my hospital, but have never managed this because I had too many things going on in the daytime (riding my bicycle for example).
Keep us posted on how things go for you, Count Blucher (although looking at your nick, maybe you shouldn’t have any problems with being awake at night?;))
Oh yes, and welcome to the “Graveyard Shift!”
Bwaaaaahhhaaah!
Quasi