What helps you sleep after night shift?

[Emma_H]

I often struggle sleeping the day post night shift. I often have to take half of a sleeping pill to get at least 4 hours.

[CCRNCMC11]

Have worked nights for 2 years and I've never had to take anything. From day 1 I've been able to sleep from 0800-1600! If you're only getting 4 hours a day something's wrong!

[Alnitak7]

A long hot shower clean sheets and a dark room

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

I have sleep apnea so when that mask goes on my body knows its time to sleep! I also make sure the room is nice and cool and will often times just pull the covers up over my head...

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

A hot chocolate about 3hrs to end of shift

This helped you to sleep hours later?

For me, any caffeine at any point within 4 hours of bedtime meant I wasn't going to sleep well, even with the Benedryl (and that includes cocoa!).....am so sensitive that Pepsi at 4am was enough to keep me revved when taking the Benedryl at 9.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I work 12-hour night shifts. I head to the local 24-hour gym immediately after my shift ends and perform cardio exercise at a moderate intensity for 45 to 60 minutes. Afterward, I go home, take a shower, and go to bed.

Exercising after a night shift keeps some people hopelessly awake, but it winds me down and helps me rest.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I can't fall asleep after a shift. I am done at 7:00 am, get home and relax with some TV , a book or the computer [my choice today!] and stay awake until about noon, sometimes later. I sleep the afternoon away and get up in time to get ready for work. A crazy schedule, but it works for me.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Sex and if hubby isn't home then unisom which is a sleep aid.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

One word. Ambien.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I've never had this problem. I was lucky if I didn't fall asleep on the subway/bus on my ride home... most of the time barely went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth before I was asleep once getting home.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

I've never had this problem. I was lucky if I didn't fall asleep on the subway/bus on my ride home... most of the time barely went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth before I was asleep once getting home.

Same. I have no issues falling asleep after a night shift. I slept today until 3pm, usually I can sleep later. I have a fan on, my usual even at night and the blinds closed. It is still pretty light in the room though. I actually sleep better during the day! It's at night I have to take Benadryl and Melatonin.

[avaloncar, BSN, RN]

Walking into the house, lol. I am usually very exhausted by the time I get home. I know that Benadryl helps me if I can't sleep but it gives me a hangover effect when I wake up, so that part sucks.

[musicistheforce]

A cool room and maybe a nice hot cup of tea, chamomile. And melatonin. I sleep like a baby well until the afternoon, and by that time it is time to get up for work!