Sleeping in the Closet?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I feel pretty ridiculous even typing this sentence, but I'm seriously considering buying a twin mattress and dedicating my walk-in closet as my 'night shift sleeping space' as the only windowless room in the house. I've tried every light-blocking 'blackout shade' technology I can think of, and I can't get my bedroom room dark enough; I love night shift on the whole, but this lack of sleep is driving me nuts. Have any other fellow night shifters resorted to sleeping in equally bizarre places?

I think my dream home would have a small, windowless den or office where I could sleep anytime I want. Why isn't this a thing?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

If lack of darkness is your problem, here is one solution for you:

Amazon.com: Sleep Mask for Woman & Man KAMOSSA Upgraded Contoured 3D Eye Mask Eye Cover For Sleeping, Total Darkness Sleeping Mask Free Earplugs & Carry Bag (Black): Health & Personal Care

At least it is cheaper than a twin mattress, even a used one.

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Specializes in Hematology-oncology.

I still have mild PTSD from my night shift days :/ I resorted to putting tin foil on the bedroom window, and then covering with a black fleece blanket. Plus I wore a face mask, and put a fan on high to drown out any noise.

With those measures I wasn't quite a zombie...quite. Good luck to you. I feel your pain!

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When trying to sleep night or day, due to the behavior of my neighbors, on occasion I find that I have to go sleep in my car. If I could afford it, I would go to a hotel/motel and ask for a room in the quiet corner of the property. A person does what they have to do. Try different ideas until you find something that works.

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I think my dream home would have a small, windowless den or office where I could sleep anytime I want. Why isn't this a thing?

If I remember correctly (50/50 chance) a room with no window isn't legally considered a "bedroom" ...so they usually put one in just about any room that's not a closet. A four bedroom home appeals to more people than a three bedroom home does.

I would absolutely LOVE a room with no windows. I have shades and black out curtains on mine and it's enough, but just barely.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
If I remember correctly (50/50 chance) a room with no window isn't legally considered a "bedroom" ...so they usually put one in just about any room that's not a closet. A four bedroom home appeals to more people than a three bedroom home does.

I would absolutely LOVE a room with no windows. I have shades and black out curtains on mine and it's enough, but just barely.

You would be correct in many states- codes dictate that bedrooms must have two points of egress- the door and another option, whether it's another door or a window.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If light is coming in around the blackouts, buy some spring tension rods and place them vertically in the window opening - tucking the curtains behind them. Made my room so dark I would bump into the furniture..

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Specializes in NICU.

I used cling-on window tinting from the auto section of Walmart. I liked it extra dark, so I used 2 layers of their darkest tint.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Auto-Expressions-Insta-Cling-Window-Tint-Extra-Dark-5/16672493

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

When I worked nights, I slept in a tiny room in the basement that had one small window near the ceiling, and I lined it with black trash bags.

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

I've heard of foil to keep lite out. My personal favorite and what I felt best : Poster board in windows. (The tall, white cardboard ones commonly found at science fairs). Then I graduated to cardboard boxes, flattened out and bent or cut small enough to use only the window frame & Box where most effective.

It may not look the nicest, but sleep and safety are the priority; Hopefully any neighbors get that.

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If lack of darkness is your problem, here is one solution for you:

Amazon.com: Sleep Mask for Woman & Man KAMOSSA Upgraded Contoured 3D Eye Mask Eye Cover For Sleeping, Total Darkness Sleeping Mask Free Earplugs & Carry Bag (Black): Health & Personal Care

At least it is cheaper than a twin mattress, even a used one.

This was my go to as well. I never could get a room dark enough and the eye mask worked great.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

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