Starting the Night Shift? 5 Tips to Help with the Sleep Schedule

 

Ask anyone in the healthcare industry and they’ll tell you that working the night shift can be brutal. But it is a critical role and comes with additional perks as well. So how can you be sure to keep yourself on track when working the night shift for the first time? The trick is to pay special attention to your sleep schedule to ensure that you’re still maintaining a healthy lifestyle while still working vampire hours.

Avoid caffeine.

Yes, caffeine gives you the boost of energy that you probably need to stay awake after the normal bedtime for most people, but this can also give you false hope and negatively affect your ability to fall asleep. Coffee and sugary sodas aren’t the quick fixes we’ve grown to believe they are. It’s best to choose healthier alternatives when you’re working a different schedule.

Monitor your sun exposure.

One thing you’ll want to pay special attention to when working nights is sunlight. Humans were designed to function best during the daytime hours. You may notice either yourself or others having difficulty in the winter months because of the lack of sun. The same can happen when you work nights.

Create a dark sleeping environment.

Similarly, humans run at peak operation when they sleep at night when the sun has set. You can mimic this pretty easily by creating a dark sleeping environment to help you adjust to an alternate schedule. Invest in blackout shades and keep them closed when you need to sleep. Keep your bedroom or home cool for optimum sleeping conditions.

Lean on family support.

Know that you don’t have to do this alone. If you can, rely on support from your family. For example, if you have a partner and children make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding your need for sleep during what would normally be waking hours. Ask friends to help you with errands and things that can only be done during the daytime.

Don’t allow yourself to run on fumes.

Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to power through. This can lead to exhaustion and, in turn, more dangerous health concerns. Sleep is essential, so if you have to speak with a medical professional about options to shift into a nighttime schedule, they can certainly help with solutions.

Work With CornerStone Medical – a Top Healthcare Staffing Agency in Dallas

Are you interested in a night shift position in a medical environment? Contact CornerStone Medical, now hiring for healthcare jobs in Dallas TX.

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