Getting started on night shift?!
Question: I'm starting an overnight job tomorrow what advice do you have for the initial period to adapt to it?
Answers: I'm starting an overnight job tomorrow what advice do you have for the initial period to adapt to it?
Expect to be tired on the job for the first several days. Set up a daily routine for yourself, especially one for right before work and right after work. Try to keep your nighttime schedule even on your days off. At first you may have trouble getting yourself to sleep during the day. Remind yourself that bedtime is for sleeping, not TV, movies, or staying up late on the phone. Make yourself stay in bed for several hours, even if you have trouble sleeping. You'll eventually teach your body the new schedule. It's the only way you'll get into the routine and not feel like you're going crazy from the weird hours.
Let's say you work 11-7. Go home after work. Have a nutritious small meal, take a shower, and do something not too strenuous for 2-3 hours. Eventually these few hours will be the time to take care of appointments and other 9 to 5 business. This is also the time to take care of the pets and walk to dog if necessary. You will probably have to turn off the phone and maybe tell people not to bother you between 10 and 6. Go to bed at 10 or 11 and get up at 5 or 6. Get up and eat another nutritious meal. You'll have several hours to take care of business around the house and with friends and family. This is also the time to exercise and pay attention to the pets if necessary.
I like to reserve at least one hour for getting ready for work. That means I get clean, dressed, eat a small nutritious meal, get coffee on my way to work, and mentally prepare myself. I never do anything stressful during the 2 hours before I have to work. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to work to further reduce stress.
It's not a bad schedule. It just takes discipline to get used to it. Those people who don't have a good routine are tired, stressed, and sleep-deprived all the time. Don't be like them! Learn to like it. It can be a very relaxing schedule if you make it that way.
Stay up as late as you can tonight then try to catch a two hour nap befor work tommorow night.
Stay up late and try to be on that schedule