How much sleep/ rest do you get?

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm a 2 nd shifter and I like to sleep in(that stopped when my son was born almost 3 yrs ago) and I usually stay up late. I've had issues with fatigue for about 6 yrs and I still feel tired in the early to mid day time hours no matter how much or little sleep I get. I try to squeeze in 6 or 7 hrs of sleep. I know some nurses who feel breezy on 5 hrs. I stay busy all the time when I'm awake and I cannot live without my coffee and cokes. I rarely eat a meal I mostly snack or eat an occasional sandwich. It's a lifelong habit. What are some tips that you use to increase your energy and improve your rest?

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eat healthy

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Specializes in Student LPN.

Improving your diet will help. I know ppl who live off of caffiene and vending machine snacks etc. and that is not good for you in short or long run.

You need eat a variety of foods, whole grains, lean protein, fruits and veggies. If u must snack, make sure that its something healthier like an apple or trail mix, nuts, celery sticks & peanut butter. But the more variety and colors in your diet the more nutrient and ENERGY u will have.

I sleep anywhere from 5 1/2 to 7 hrs a night. Sometimes I have to take some melatonin to help me sleep. But if I've ran around enough on any given day, I don't really have trouble falling asleep. My problem is more staying asleep due to the fact my dh snores very loudly.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I'm a night shifter. I usually sleep about 6 hours between shifts then on my days off I sometimes sleep 9-10 hours straight. I guess to compensate because I am so tired after working and lack of sleep. I'm definitely one that needs a full 8 hours.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I don't get enough sleep or rest.

First of all, I have had insomnia since childhood. Second of all, I have hypothyroidism, so I never feel rested after a full night's worth of sleep. Third, I attend school full time during the week at a campus that is located 225 miles away from my house. Lastly, I work 16 hour weekend double shifts every Saturday and Sunday, from 6am to 10pm.

All of these things are a recipe for chronic fatigue.

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Specializes in LTC.

That sounds like me.....even when I do sleep I dont feel like I have. Between a toddler and work....its like I work 16 hr shifts daily. My husband is leaving out Next week for his first long haul truck driving job...so for the next 2 mos...Ill be on my own. Ive gotta figure out how to rest better.....I try to cut out my cokes and coffee by 9pm at work.....but then when I get home at around 1130 I tend to watch tv for too long. Then the cycle starts over again. Ive been like this my entire life as well....as far as being a night person. I dont know how people work in the daytime...kudos to them for that.

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Specializes in LTC, Neurology, Rehab, Pain Management,.

Today I worked 6am to 2:30pm. It's almost 7pm right now. I have to be back to work at midnight for the 12am to 8am shift. I'm going to go now and take a nap. Needless to say, I don't get much sleep. Nighty, night.

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Specializes in long term care Alzheimers Patients.

I work 11-7 Mon-Thurs and 8:30-12:30 everyday except Sun, I try to sleep from 3pm-9pm, but sometimes can only sleep for a few hrs. Love being able to sleep in on Sundays.

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Specializes in LTC.

Im thinking about keeping a log book of what time I lay down and what times I wake up for about 3 months just to see what kind of pattern Im in. I tried to quit my cokes a few years ago....gave me the worst headaches Ive ever had in my life...so bad that I literally couldnt see what I was doing at work....had to squint and my head throbbed til I went to the machine and got me a coke....almost instant relief and Ive just stayed with it since. I usually go to bed about 2 am sometimes 3am...get home from work at around 1130pm 5 to 6 days a week. Im off and on awake from 6am til about 10am and thats when I actually get motivated to move around to chase my toddler. Ive got to figure me out a better routine because my husband is about to leave for his first truck driving job and will be gone for 2 mos so its just gonna be me and my little one. His routine is as bad as mine (my toddler) as far as sleep goes.

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