How to deal with switching shifts.

[Dakmeg]

Let's give tips on how to cope with working on night shift. I cover my bedroom window with a black trash bag during this shift change. It blocks out all day light and lets me sleep as if it were night time. The only problem I found is it is hard to find good places to eat on the night shift as everything closes so early. I'm not ready to eat dinner until 2 - 3 in the morning and it is really hard to find a place to get a good meal.

[Trick_LP]

:( having done the third shift thing both military and private sector there is only one thing I can say..........even after awhile it still sucks. You will find yourself STARVING for something to do so it never hurts to take something along on your down time to entertain yourself with. i dont recommned anything that will COMPLETELY occupy your job distracting you but something to tame a restless mind.

Another thing.....do not sleep all day. Its hard to resist but Say your shift ends at 700-800, it really helped when I woke up midafternoon as opposed to me waking up and it was dark again. That kind of messed with my head a bit.

I lost weight simply because I was slurping down energy drinks and never eating too much because it would always make me tired.

[arson571]

I worked graves for four straight years. Aluminum foil on the windows works great because it reflects the light away from the window. If it is a long term assignment, reflective or mirror type window tinting would be nicer.

Something in your room that creates "white noise" is good for blocking out the noises of the day.

The only way to eat nutritiously if everything closes is to prepare meals and put them in a cooler. Microwave ovens are available at the local "stop n' robs" and most clerks will let you use them. Precooked chicken and veggies is easy and can be supplemented with some carbohydrate like chips or pretzels.

[Actiondefence]

Getting the sleeping pattern right is the key. I found I had to avoid the energy drinks etc as when I came off the shift, I still couldn't sleep for a few hours.

Best way to deal with those long nights? Keep busy! I found it was the best time to go out and stop cars. The great unwashed live like vampires so its easy pickings for drunks, druggies, disqual drivers, folks wanted, billy burglars etc etc.

[Trick_LP]

[QUOTE=Actiondefence] I found I had to avoid the energy drinks etc as when I came off the shift, I still couldn't sleep for a few hours.
QUOTE]



OHHHHHHH but how I loved them so and as a matter of fact Im enjoying one right now:O

Surprisingly because of the job I was doing it was strange the second the sun came up it was like caffiene just wore off. I would head hoe and just go narcoleptic. I would fall asleep sitting straight up in the recliner..........solution to this problem was just simply to RECLINE the recliner and I was good to GO!:)