best sleep aid before I resort to a hammer?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 12, 2015

Black out curtains. A window fan or some other noise machine that will block out sound. Turn your phone off. As tempting as it is, the TV too. Soft sheets, even a pillow top for the mattress so that you are comfortable. If you have a doorbell, disconnect it. You need to be sure that what can startle and wake you up is a non-issue.

Before you even attempt to sleep, decompress a bit. Take a hot shower, sleepy time tea. Not medical advice per AN TOS, however, stop taking so many different sleep aids. The only thing that is accomplishing is renting space in your sleepy head on why it is not working.

When you first get home, make your plan as to when you are going to do homework, and any other responsibility. Make a list. Lists will take it out of your head, and into a plan that is manageable and you don't have to concern yourself/worry about it as you are attempting to sleep.

If you are down to sleep by 2pm, great if you sleep until 10pm--always have your work outfit out and ready, your meal to go--then it is a matter of up shower and go. If you are finding you are up at say 5, lay down at 7 or 8 again until 10.

Best wishes!

happy_life · Sep 12, 2015

First of all, love your username!

I suggest a hypnosis app. Seriously I put in earphones, start the app, and before I know it I'm knocked out. Just search for hypnosis" in the Apple Store or google play.

nursedorkface · Sep 12, 2015

Thank you but I could cry, I have done everything you have listed to no effect. I havr enen done hot baths with epdon salts and that lavender baby bath that's supposed to help you sleep. I have hops stuffed in my pillow as well. All I do is lie there praying to god for a workplace accident that give me a 2/3 pay vacation. I givr up on natural. I need drugs.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 12, 2015

The problem is that after night shift, when your retina is exposed to light for any length of time, it suppresses your melatonin levels and drives wakefulness. Minimizing your exposure to light in any form may help. But it's really not practical to wear sunglasses in the classroom.

Also, what about caffeine? Are you drinking coffee to stay awake in class? Sleep experts recommend cutting out caffeine intake between 4 and six hours before your desired sleep time.

Honestly, I'm not sure with the schedule you've chosen for yourself that you're going to find a complete solution to your problem. A change is work of school hours is likely your best bet.

happy_life · Sep 12, 2015

Go to your primary care doc and tell them about the trouble you're having. Your doc should be able to prescribe something for you. At this point that's your best option. Good luck!

nursn4me · Sep 12, 2015

I haven't gotten to the point you are but I see this in the very near future. I currently work part time 6-230pm. I start nursing school on the 24th and seriously considering night shift so I can study during downtimes but I don't see how my body will be able to handle going straight to school after work, then sleep in the middle of the day.

i already have a sleeping problem, I tried the super melatonin too but it didn't do anything I was exhausted. I have a prescription for ambien really doesn't give me a full nite sleep. Maybe you can inquire with your doctor about restoril? I think that's the name advertised as helping falling asleep and staying asleep for a good night rest.

good luck!

RainMom · Sep 12, 2015

Any chance of changing to eve shift? Weekends only? I would not be able to sustain that kind of schedule & I am usually able to sleep anytime.

SpeeDemonRN · Sep 12, 2015

I have always had insomnia, and worked overnights for almost a decade. The insomnia tends to be an issue that is not related to time of day.

I have learned a few things, by trial and mostly error. UV light is my worst enemy. Blue light is next in line. Every time you look at a screen you are exposing yourself to blue light. It is recommended that you shut off all screens several hours before bedtime, but who the hell really does that?

Recently I had an aha moment. I have had a problem with scorpions in my house. I live in AZ so this is not an unexpected problem. The only way to kill them directly is by hunting them down with a good UV light. I can't go to bed until I search the bedroom, and the parts of my yard that are closest to the house. I had several nights that I was up til 2 or 3am despite being sleepy before I turned on the black light. The best analogy- you know those anime cartoons, where everyone has giant round eyes. Mine felt like that. Took me a while to connect it to the UV light I was using to find scorpions.

I read the reviews for the flashlight that I had been using and saw that they recommended protective glasses.

They have ones that block blue light and are only slightly yellowish looking. My boyfriend didn't notice the yellow at all.

I got mine on Amazon for under $20. I've started wearing them when I watch TV or read on my iPad a few hours before bed.

My advice- get a pair of real blueblockers for when you are not in class, and then just get ones that are made for computer use for when you are in class. Search "blue light blocking glasses" on Amazon and you will have some reasonably priced choices.

Good luck! It's hard to live with messed up circadian rhythms....

nurseactivist · Sep 20, 2015

You are putting a lot of pressure on yourself to fall asleep IMMEDIATELY when getting home from school. I worked nights for 8 years and I figured out that I had to sleep a minimum of 4 hours just before my shift. Try giving yourself an hour or two to unwind before you attempt sleep. That time frame from 6pm to 10pm was critical for me. Find out your critical time.

If you rest from 2 to 6, not read or watch TV, you might find that eventually you just start dozing off earlier and earlier. I can't remember if a sleep mask was mentioned. Your bedroom should be as dark as possible. Hot cocoa is great and really works.

nursedorkface · Sep 20, 2015

@nu rn I was doing 2-10 shifts when I set up my clssses then one week before school I had to change jobs abruptly and it was nights or nothing. I'll have to wait for someone to leave days before I can switch.