Sleeping in the Closet?

1. I feel pretty ridiculous even typing this sentence, but I'm seriously considering buying a twin mattress and dedicating my walk-in closet as my 'night shift sleeping space' as the only windowless room in the house. I've tried every light-blocking 'blackout shade' technology I can think of, and I can't get my bedroom room dark enough; I love night shift on the whole, but this lack of sleep is driving me nuts. Have any other fellow night shifters resorted to sleeping in equally bizarre places?
   
   I think my dream home would have a small, windowless den or office where I could sleep anytime I want. Why isn't this a thing?

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2. 

   About adventure_rn, BSN

   Joined: Jun '15; Posts: 737; Likes: 2,101

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3. 
   Mar 15

   If lack of darkness is your problem, here is one solution for you:
   
   Amazon.com: Sleep Mask for Woman & Man KAMOSSA Upgraded Contoured 3D Eye Mask Eye Cover For Sleeping, Total Darkness Sleeping Mask Free Earplugs & Carry Bag (Black): Health & Personal Care
   
   At least it is cheaper than a twin mattress, even a used one.

   Last edit by KatieMI on Mar 15
4. 
   Mar 15

   I still have mild PTSD from my night shift days :/ I resorted to putting tin foil on the bedroom window, and then covering with a black fleece blanket. Plus I wore a face mask, and put a fan on high to drown out any noise.
   
   With those measures I wasn't quite a zombie...quite. Good luck to you. I feel your pain!
5. 
   Mar 15

   When trying to sleep night or day, due to the behavior of my neighbors, on occasion I find that I have to go sleep in my car. If I could afford it, I would go to a hotel/motel and ask for a room in the quiet corner of the property. A person does what they have to do. Try different ideas until you find something that works.
6. 
   Mar 15

   Quote from adventure_rn

   
   I think my dream home would have a small, windowless den or office where I could sleep anytime I want. Why isn't this a thing?

   If I remember correctly (50/50 chance) a room with no window isn't legally considered a "bedroom" ...so they usually put one in just about any room that's not a closet. A four bedroom home appeals to more people than a three bedroom home does.
   I would absolutely LOVE a room with no windows. I have shades and black out curtains on mine and it's enough, but just barely.
7. 
   Mar 15

   Quote from Sour Lemon

   If I remember correctly (50/50 chance) a room with no window isn't legally considered a "bedroom" ...so they usually put one in just about any room that's not a closet. A four bedroom home appeals to more people than a three bedroom home does.
   I would absolutely LOVE a room with no windows. I have shades and black out curtains on mine and it's enough, but just barely.

   You would be correct in many states- codes dictate that bedrooms must have two points of egress- the door and another option, whether it's another door or a window.
8. 
   Mar 15

   If light is coming in around the blackouts, buy some spring tension rods and place them vertically in the window opening - tucking the curtains behind them. Made my room so dark I would bump into the furniture..
9. 
   Mar 15

   I used cling-on window tinting from the auto section of Walmart. I liked it extra dark, so I used 2 layers of their darkest tint.
   https://www.walmart.com/ip/Auto-Expr...ark-5/16672493
10. 
    Mar 15

    When I worked nights, I slept in a tiny room in the basement that had one small window near the ceiling, and I lined it with black trash bags.
11. 
    Mar 15

    I've heard of foil to keep lite out. My personal favorite and what I felt best : Poster board in windows. (The tall, white cardboard ones commonly found at science fairs). Then I graduated to cardboard boxes, flattened out and bent or cut small enough to use only the window frame & Box where most effective.
    
    It may not look the nicest, but sleep and safety are the priority; Hopefully any neighbors get that.

    Last edit by crazin01 on Mar 15 : Reason: typo
12. 
    Mar 16

    Quote from KatieMI

    If lack of darkness is your problem, here is one solution for you:
    
    Amazon.com: Sleep Mask for Woman & Man KAMOSSA Upgraded Contoured 3D Eye Mask Eye Cover For Sleeping, Total Darkness Sleeping Mask Free Earplugs & Carry Bag (Black): Health & Personal Care
    
    At least it is cheaper than a twin mattress, even a used one.

    This was my go to as well. I never could get a room dark enough and the eye mask worked great.
13. 
    Mar 16

    
14. 
    Mar 16

    It's not a matter of light or dark. Your circadian rhythm, cannot adjust. Find a day job, in the meantime use a sleep mask.
    
    Best wishes.

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