The majority of people are used to working regular hours, which start from 8 am till 5 pm. However, some jobs require employees to work on shifting schedules, including nights. Doctors, nurses, police officers, call center employees, and firefighters are known to have crazy schedules. One of the main challenges is working at night, which means your body clock needs to be altered completely. Most of these people experience difficulties in sleeping, which is very understandable. If you happen to be in the same boat, here are some tips that could help you survive working night shifts longer than expected.
- Make sure that your room is clean and cozy
The first thing that should come into your mind when you get home from a night shift is how to get some rest. The number one rule is to keep your place free from clutter by removing any excess junk, not just inside your bedroom but also in your entire house. If you happen to have an old and saggy mattress, you need to replace it right away because you will end up feeling more tired and painful when you wake up. You can set up an appointment with companies that deal with junk removal in Charlotte to clean your home and haul away your old mattress at your most convenient time.
- Discipline yourself to sleep for eight hours a day
As soon as you get home from a night shift, it would help if you did your daily rituals right away before going to bed. Be well-rested for your next shift. That is why you need to instill discipline for you to fall asleep quickly. Put away your gadgets, including your cell phone and laptop before bedtime. It is tempting to browse through Facebook, Instagram and watch several videos on YouTube before falling asleep, the blue light that is emitted by your gadgets could cause you to have less sleep during the daytime.
- Eat a balanced meal before going to bed
Some people who work on a night shift seldom eat before going to bed. However, when you get hungry in the middle of your sleep, your stomach will keep on rumbling, forcing you to get up and find something to eat. Doing this will disrupt your sleeping pattern, which is not advisable, especially if you have irregular working hours.
- Keep your bedroom dark and comfortable
If you are the type of person who cannot sleep during the daytime, you need to make your room appear darker by putting thick and dark curtains to cover your windows. If you can afford to install an air conditioning unit to keep you comfortable, all the better. You can also spray some lavender scent on your bed sheets and pillowcases to induce peaceful sleep.
Lastly, if you happen to live with your family or if you have roommates, they should be made aware of your working schedule so that they do not disturb your peace during the daytime.