Night Shift Workers- How Do You Stay Awake?

I drink orange juice when I have it with me, that helps perk me up. I've been on nights 3 years. I agree with a lot of the previous posts. Guard your sleep, keep moving during your shifts when possible, and drink lots of water if you can. I only drink coffee as a last resort, if I'm so tired that I start computer-charting in my sleep.

I am not a coffee drinker but I drink an energy drink called High Velocity sugar-free, it is like Redbull but fewer calories and carbs. I drink it around 1 or 2 in the morning. I do not feel jittery or run down when it leaves my body. This is the same stuff I will drink on a workout day as well.

If you are a good sleeper then you should not have a problem. I can sleep anywhere, in cars, on an airplane, on a picket fence if I needed to. I sleep as soon as I get home. Then on my days off I sleep until 1 the latest and go to sleep normal time around 10 or 11 that night. If I have to do another 12 the next day I sleep as long as possible, around 3 or 4. If it is my first night on, I sleep as long as possible in the morning and I usually cannot sleep again before going in but I mope around and take my time unless I am out.

You will find what works for you, I love nights.

Getting good sleep is critical.

Good diet essential.

Exercise necessary.

And, keeping busy kept me awake w/o a problem.

GOOD LUCK!

I too find that orange juice perks me up. Same thing with moving around. Caffeine also perks me up, but I have to stop drinking it around 0100 or it will keep me up later when I need to be sleeping.

As others have said, guard your sleep time during the day. It is amazing how some people think that since you are home during the day you are available to talk on the phone or go out to lunch, etc... Some people don't seem to understand that you have to sleep during the day since you don't get to sleep at night...at work.

Good luck in your new position.