How do YOU fall asleep (ATTN! Night Shifters!!)

[jaxnRN]

I need some suggestions!! I am starting a COMPLETE full-time position in OB night-shift 6 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. I have worked a few 11p-7a shifts here and there, but not enough to really "bother" me.

Besides a fan (for noise) and a dark room (as dark as I can get it) do you have another helpful hints??

When I get home, I have two kids to take to school and won't be going to bed until about 9a.m. This is going to be hard in the sum-sum-summertime!!! PLUS! I am THE lightest sleeper in the world. I go from asleep to WIDE AWAKE:eek: in less than a second.

So, any ideas?? Anything from meds to mental....I'm open to suggestions!!! Thanks!

[FullMoonMadness]

My fellow nightshifters and me frequently go to this little dive called Sams Corner for a beer at 730. Just kidding, although there have been a few mornings that we have done exactly that.

I know this sounds crazy after running up and down a long hall all night, but I usually do 1-2 miles on the treadmill and then depending on my mood take the hottest bath or shower that I can stand. Then,cool dark room with either the fan or tv on low to filter out noise. I recommend not eating anything heavy right before going to bed. And turn off the ringer on the phone. Sweet Dreams

[mattsmom81]

Nice hot relaxing bath with bath salts, dark room, phone off (emergency beeper on) white noise, Benedryl if needed after 30 minutes of wide awake.

Also...if you still can't sleep well or if it messes up your circadian rhythm too much and you're wide awake on your nights off, try alternating nights off. This is the best schedule for me...like working M-W-F... cuz then I just nap 9-1 when I get home from work, then sleep normally on all my nights I'm home. I have my afternoons free this way too which is nice. :)

We're all different...find what works for you. Night shifters rock. :)

[nursedawn67, LPN]

I work 6p to 6a shift, when I get home I sit relax, maybe have a small bowl of cereal or toast. My room is dark (thanks to room darkening shades), I have a fan running to keep the room cool and to help keep outside noises out. Phone is shut off (my kids have many emergency contacts because I can't usually be reached while sleeping). Somedays when I get in bed and all comfy I will read for a few minutes, this usually relaxes me and I can fall right to sleep.