Night shift advice
Discussion
I've volunteered to help out at an event and will be working a night shift from midnight to 8am. I will be camping when off duty and the shift could potentially involve a lot of physical effort. Each night will be in a different place, so each rest up will too.
I have 5 nights on the bounce to do.
As somebody who has never worked nights before, are they any top tips from those that have? In particular when should I be going to bed and what meal eaten and when? Or is it as simple and try and sleep and eat when I feel like it?
I have 5 nights on the bounce to do.
As somebody who has never worked nights before, are they any top tips from those that have? In particular when should I be going to bed and what meal eaten and when? Or is it as simple and try and sleep and eat when I feel like it?
Edited by ben5575 on Tuesday 11th June 22:29
Yeah, it's hard to go fully nocturnal and ruins any social life. I get half my sleep shortly after I get home, and get the other half in the evening before my shift. They say broken sleep isn't great, but it's how it ends up being for me and pretty much all my colleagues. Take your meals as and when you feel you need them, for a week you'll be fine and should be enlightening/interesting.
Used to do rotating shifts with a weeks night shift required. Started Sunday night and finished Friday morning. I always found getting up onto night shifts easy, would have a long lie on Sunday morning and just hit the first night shift head on, would have enough energy in the tank to see it out.
I stayed very close to my work and found coming home and decompressing for half an hour before going to bed better. Could end up in bed while the brain is still in full motion. Finishing at 6am I would normally sleep till 3pm when my son came in from school. After the last night shift I would force myself to get up after 4-5hrs sleep. The earlier I got up the easier it was to come back down from night shift mode, it would keep me tired enough to sleep that night. Coming down from the nightshift was where I struggled, body was still wanting to stay up all night.
3am was normally where the tiredness kicked in, that was our break time. As soon as you stopped, your body wanted to go to sleep. I found a quick nap would cure or kill you. Waking up refreshed or wanting to keep napping. I generally avoided napping.
I generally liked the night shift. Earyl shift would knock lumps out of me and back shift was mega anti-social.
I stayed very close to my work and found coming home and decompressing for half an hour before going to bed better. Could end up in bed while the brain is still in full motion. Finishing at 6am I would normally sleep till 3pm when my son came in from school. After the last night shift I would force myself to get up after 4-5hrs sleep. The earlier I got up the easier it was to come back down from night shift mode, it would keep me tired enough to sleep that night. Coming down from the nightshift was where I struggled, body was still wanting to stay up all night.
3am was normally where the tiredness kicked in, that was our break time. As soon as you stopped, your body wanted to go to sleep. I found a quick nap would cure or kill you. Waking up refreshed or wanting to keep napping. I generally avoided napping.
I generally liked the night shift. Earyl shift would knock lumps out of me and back shift was mega anti-social.
I’ve worked night shifts as part of a three shift system for thirty years now, there isn’t a one size fits all way to cope as people vary. Quick power naps in breaks can help for some, but make others feel more tired. I would avoid energy drinks as the benefits are short lived. I tend to stick to main meal in the evening, but some switch to having dinner at midnight.
I think your main problem will be getting a decent sleep during the day, maybe get a decent camp bed to ensure some comfort and eye mask/ear plugs to try and block out light and noise.i’ve never liked sleeping tablets as they made me feel groggy, but perhaps try a few out to see if they work for you beforehand?
I think your main problem will be getting a decent sleep during the day, maybe get a decent camp bed to ensure some comfort and eye mask/ear plugs to try and block out light and noise.i’ve never liked sleeping tablets as they made me feel groggy, but perhaps try a few out to see if they work for you beforehand?
Thanks guys. Really helpful advice.
Ear plugs and eye masks have been bought. I use cbd oil normally which helps so I'll be taking that with me as well. I fully expect it to be brutal!
Logistically there are a series of fixed check points for the runners and general support teams. I'm on the safety team at the back of the race so we rove and camp between the fixed checkpoints to sweep up runners who are reconsidering their life choices/get into difficulties/escort the medics to a situation in advance of MR.
We may be lucky and get a tupperware filled with food if we're passing through a checkpoint, but otherwise we'll be cooking for ourselves. We'll also be driving to where we think we'll need to be - but this will obviously be governed by the pace of the runners. I switch to the lead team (day shift) on days 6&7 so at least I'll get to see some runners finish hopefully!
Ear plugs and eye masks have been bought. I use cbd oil normally which helps so I'll be taking that with me as well. I fully expect it to be brutal!
Bill said:
What's the event? Sounds interesting!
I think the main issues is not being too hot to sleep in your tent in the day, so try to make sure it's pitched in shade. And if you're moving each day how do the logistics work? Are you driving yourself or needing to cook etc?
It's the Spine Race - so 268 miles up the Pennine Way (inspired by a post on ph actually). I think the main issues is not being too hot to sleep in your tent in the day, so try to make sure it's pitched in shade. And if you're moving each day how do the logistics work? Are you driving yourself or needing to cook etc?
Logistically there are a series of fixed check points for the runners and general support teams. I'm on the safety team at the back of the race so we rove and camp between the fixed checkpoints to sweep up runners who are reconsidering their life choices/get into difficulties/escort the medics to a situation in advance of MR.
We may be lucky and get a tupperware filled with food if we're passing through a checkpoint, but otherwise we'll be cooking for ourselves. We'll also be driving to where we think we'll need to be - but this will obviously be governed by the pace of the runners. I switch to the lead team (day shift) on days 6&7 so at least I'll get to see some runners finish hopefully!
At least you'll be less knackered than the competitors! Did a couple of years of them (two earlies, two lates two nights four off).
Before my first night I'd sleep as long as possible after a late. Often 2pm.
Power through the first night.
Get home about 0730. Stay up until 9 so my then partner was at work.
Eyemask, ear plugs, door bell turned off. Sometimes an over the counter sleeping tablet.
I'd sleep through to 7pm.
Up, breakfast, shower and off to work for either 2100 or 2200.
I'd then try and stay awake all day or sleep until midday to get the most out of my rest days.
Before my first night I'd sleep as long as possible after a late. Often 2pm.
Power through the first night.
Get home about 0730. Stay up until 9 so my then partner was at work.
Eyemask, ear plugs, door bell turned off. Sometimes an over the counter sleeping tablet.
I'd sleep through to 7pm.
Up, breakfast, shower and off to work for either 2100 or 2200.
I'd then try and stay awake all day or sleep until midday to get the most out of my rest days.
ben5575 said:
It's the Spine Race - so 268 miles up the Pennine Way (inspired by a post on ph actually).
Do you have any means of knowing which runners are heading your way?A mate of mine is a regular top 10 finisher and sometimes winner (most recently the winter spine south). Haven’t seen him in years and would freak him out if you said hi for me
Ha that’s brilliant!
You can dot watch on the spine website. Several of the smaller (relative!) races start on Saturday. Spine Race proper starts Sunday 8am
I’m at the rear so if he’s quick it’s unlikely I’ll see him although I switch to the lead team on Friday so I may just catch him if he hasn’t finished already.
PM me the details though
You can dot watch on the spine website. Several of the smaller (relative!) races start on Saturday. Spine Race proper starts Sunday 8am
I’m at the rear so if he’s quick it’s unlikely I’ll see him although I switch to the lead team on Friday so I may just catch him if he hasn’t finished already.
PM me the details though
I do 1800-0600 some shifts and I've found going into it I sleep 1300-1615.
Then after the shift I'll sleep til 0930'ish then potter about (otherwise you lose all of your social/family life) and then go back to bed ready to sleep until 1615.
If you can have dinner at work I find it helps and gives you something to look forward to, otherwise try to have it ready to eat for when you get up.
Then after the shift I'll sleep til 0930'ish then potter about (otherwise you lose all of your social/family life) and then go back to bed ready to sleep until 1615.
If you can have dinner at work I find it helps and gives you something to look forward to, otherwise try to have it ready to eat for when you get up.
te!!!
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