Night Shift

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Specializes in ER (new), Respitory/Med Surg floor.

Hey everyone! I've been recently working night shift. I asked before how people adjusted. I thought I'd be good b/c I'd stay up to 3am all the time having worked 3-11pm but the sun and temp and birds are messing with my rhythm! I'm using my blinds and that helps. But it's summer where I am so the heat I think has been keeping me up. It's not schorching....it's just my body seems to feel ready to wake up in the morning!!!! Air conditioning is too cold for me at this time and would keep me up. I use a fan which works. Even my blinds don't keep out the sun, I hear the birds argh..... My next step is getting a very light cover to slip over my eyes. That should help but any other suggestions! Thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

The next step is aluminum foil or construction paper of some type taped over the window to block the light (ill add this for those who maybe have city ordinances about foil on home windows---hopefully you bedroom doesnt face a busy street window with east/west traffic, maybe check with your city code office first). As far as the birds are concerned, earplugs,, i get the cheapies from walmart. Ive found that if i put them in when i go to bed i can get to sleep and they usually either fall out or i pull them out after about 4-5 hours but at least i can get to sleep.

The temperature is a different thing. I would try using the air on the warmest setting you can and if that doesnt do it, try using just the fan on the air conditioner with the windows closed. That will help circulate the air in the room and maybe drown out some of the outdoor noise too.

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Specializes in ER (new), Respitory/Med Surg floor.

Thanks! I'll try the foil and ear plugs! I live in what I call "jason country." Woods! Although lots of houses really popping up here!

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Specializes in Jill of all trades, master of none?.

I'm still a student, but have had trouble sleeping all my life--I'm actually looking forward to the "crappy" shifts, lol. Something that really helps me sleep is playing "sleep enhancement" cd's. I set the player on repeat and let it go all night. My favorite is Delta Sleep System by the Relaxation Company. Also, foil is not allowed, put white butcher paper first with the foil behind. It won't show to the outside but will block all light. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.

also sleep when you can don't freq out if you don't reach your expectations. How many of us really sleep 8 hours through the night when we are not working and/or work days ? I just got off 9 years of days and remember not being able to sleep at night on occasion. I would still go into work.

I think the pattern of not getting enough sleep at night gets worse as we get older, BUT the ability to work with less sleep appears to have improved for me offsetting the sleepless nights glitch. I find my body sleeps when it needs to. When my body is more tired usually I get a more unbroken sleep.

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Those folding things that people put across car windshields to keep out heat do a great job of blocking light from a bedroom window, plus easy to put up/take down if the appearance of foil windows bothers you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Good idea about the white butcher paper for those who have ordinances in their cities.

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I've worked nocs for several years and love them. I sleep with a window unit AC in my bedroom, lightblocking shades and ear plugs if the kids are home. I have had to use Benadryl or Unasom on occasion. During the winter I tend to have to use ear plugs more often - no window AC for white noise.

I had to use a sleeping mask for several months as we recently had all of our windows and siding replaced and new insulation put on. With the ear plugs, I actually slept through all the hammering - it was the light that made it difficult to sleep.

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I wear a sleeping mask. They sell them at drug stores like SavOn. I found a site with really funny ones:

http://peepersleepers.com/sleepmasks2.html?gclid=CJ6-2paJhYYCFQxsDgodJEF_iw

This one has masks, ear plugs, and "eye pillows:

http://www.dreamessentials.com/a_intro_eye_masks.aspx?gclid=CPmjxsyJhYYCFT-FCwodCTduvQ

I bought them from a common household catalog too.

I've used terrycloth headbands and soft wash cloths on my eyes too. Just don't sleep well with light.

Noise doesn't bother me unles it is a child wanting Mommy. I grew up with a Dad who practiced trumpet for hours every day.

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Specializes in ER (new), Respitory/Med Surg floor.

WOW!!!! I tried the ear plugs and it worked amazingly!!!! I think I hear the buzz of the day going on and actually I used some cotton in my ears lightly but it's just enough to drone things out!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I have just seen some window covers at wal mart that are not letting any light through. They were $20. When I can't sleep, I put on a CD with the thunderstom sounds.

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When all else fails---Benedryl!

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