Working Night shifts...What can i do to help

[clarkey01]

I find it hard to sleep in the day and im working 10pm till 8 am, by the time I get home it's 9 am. I sleep to about 2, and it's killing me.

Ideas ?

Cheers

 

[jtusa]

I work nights as well. I find caffeine helps, but laptop + movies does the trick on the really rough nights. Usually I'll just read though.

 

[clarkey01]

Originally posted by: jtusa4
I work nights as well. I find caffeine helps, but laptop + movies does the trick on the really rough nights. Usually I'll just read though.

LOL im mapping stuff with a PDA for about 5 hours of each night and looking at the screen makes me even more tired. I drive so slow on the home just so I dont crash.

 

[NuroMancer]

ok, first.
Don't "down" redbull and coffee. They stims they add into you system will make it extreamly had to sleep during the day.

The only thing that will make it better is time, but stop with the stims.

#2 - In you sig you have this system, and I'm assumming it's a dream system because you don't know what motherboard? BTW for a mobo ur better off with a DFI. Or the A8n - SLI premium, don't skimp on the board.

 

[Bateluer]

How long have you been working that shift? Your body and mind will adapt with time, however there are things you can do to help you sleep. Blacken the windows in your bedroom to block out the light. Turn on a fan to create some white noise.

Also, assuming you go to bed at 0900 and sleep to 1400, thats only 5 hours of sleep max. Some people can get by on that, but getting 5 hours repeatedly is going to make you feel very tired over a couple of weeks. Try sleeping until 1600 or 1700.

 

[BigJ]

Take some sleeping pills to try to help you sleep during the day. Don't get addicted to them though, it's very easy.

 

[zerocool1]

sleep more, you're only gettin like 5 hours of sleep at most.

EDIT: music is helpful

 

[Kelemvor]

Better curtains to keep the light out so you can sleep. Of course you feel like sh!t if you are drinking coffee and red bull...

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: clarkey01

Originally posted by: jtusa4
I work nights as well. I find caffeine helps, but laptop + movies does the trick on the really rough nights. Usually I'll just read though.

LOL im mapping stuff with a PDA for about 5 hours of each night and looking at the screen makes me even more tired. I drive so slow on the home just so I dont crash.

Did you just recently start the night shift? You'll get used to it, but unless you do something that makes you think, you'll always be tired. That's why I like to read. Tech books preferably(for me anyways). A good story book will work too, but for me something technical that makes me actually think keeps me awake better than anything else.

 

[GasX]

Get blackout shades for your bedroom.

 

[pclstyle]

takes time, i guess. i hear some people never get over it (dizziness, nausea, etc). Good luck

 

[chowmein]

what is it that you do

 

[clarkey01]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
ok, first.
Don't "down" redbull and coffee. They stims they add into you system will make it extreamly had to sleep during the day.

The only thing that will make it better is time, but stop with the stims.

#2 - In you sig you have this system, and I'm assumming it's a dream system because you don't know what motherboard? BTW for a mobo ur better off with a DFI. Or the A8n - SLI premium, don't skimp on the board.

No my father built me the rig. We got broke into and a few deaths in the family happend. He built me the rig with some insurance money owed to me. I need to download a MB program to indetifty which one I have. I assure you its real. The bits came from Overclockers.co.uk and I made a thread on here asking which parts I should get it. I told my father I rough idea and he made for me when I got back.

 

[ggnl]

How long have you been doing it? It can take a while to adjust to a drastic change in your sleep schedule.

When you sleep during the day do you keep your room very dark? Your sleep cycle can get thrown off if you're sleeping in a bright room.

 

[clarkey01]

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: clarkey01

Originally posted by: jtusa4
I work nights as well. I find caffeine helps, but laptop + movies does the trick on the really rough nights. Usually I'll just read though.

LOL im mapping stuff with a PDA for about 5 hours of each night and looking at the screen makes me even more tired. I drive so slow on the home just so I dont crash.

Did you just recently start the night shift? You'll get used to it, but unless you do something that makes you think, you'll always be tired. That's why I like to read. Tech books preferably(for me anyways). A good story book will work too, but for me
something technical that makes me actually think keeps me awake better than anything else.

2nite is my 3rd night.

 

[clarkey01]

I cant sleep at all, it must be the redbull. I am only getting 4/5 hours at the most sleep when I get in.

 

[tami]

take sleeping pills. they should help you get on schedule.

but as BigJ said, don't get addicted to them. it's relatively easy.

 

[clarkey01]

Pro plus pills bad for me as well. Sorry im such a noob when it comes to this.

 

[chowmein]

cough medicine works good too

 

[Phoenix86]

It'll take a couple of weeks to adjust. Block 100% of the sun entering your room where you sleep, use tinfoil if you must.

 

[clarkey01]

Originally posted by: chowmein
cough medicine works good too

My diet has been alot of pasta, health living stuff like fruit, not much fat. Anything on the diet front I can do to help ?


BTW I'm a student working at a huge grocery store when I stack and map products as well as Merchandise mods etc. My shifts are 10 pm to 8 am with an hour and a half break.

 

[pclstyle]

Originally posted by: chowmein
cough medicine works good too

meh DXM doesn't do sh!t to me anymore.

 

[compnovice]

What exactly does your work entail?

Have a short walk every 30 min... Try getting fresh air...

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: clarkey01

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
ok, first.
Don't "down" redbull and coffee. They stims they add into you system will make it extreamly had to sleep during the day.

The only thing that will make it better is time, but stop with the stims.

#2 - In you sig you have this system, and I'm assumming it's a dream system because you don't know what motherboard? BTW for a mobo ur better off with a DFI. Or the A8n - SLI premium, don't skimp on the board.

No my father built me the rig. We got broke into and a few deaths in the family happend. He built me the rig with some insurance money owed to me. I need to download a MB program to indetifty which one I have. I assure you its real. The bits came from Overclockers.co.uk and I made a thread on here asking which parts I should get it. I told my father I rough idea and he made for me when I got back.

Kudos on the sweet system then!!! Hope ya enjoy it lots.
And lay off the red bull first. It's a start, and try cutting back on the coffee over time.

I only "use" red bull when I have term projects I've left to the last minute and I need to code straight through the night. But while caffenee doesn't reall effect me, red bull messes with my sleep patterns.

 

[chowmein]

to stay awake, eat peanuts and drink icy cold water.