sleeping patterns.
Author
Discussion

MrPeters

Original Poster:

371 posts

192 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
Right. I have a problem. Tuesdays and Fridays I have to be at work for 5am. The other days I work lates. This is making me feel crap. Like really crap.

This morning was a 5am start (yeah I know its not Tuesday) and now I just feel sicky / headachy and knackered. Not just tired...absolutely knackered.

This happens every time I change my sleeping pattern (twice a week) and its just no good.

Anyone else in the same boat? Tips etc...?

oj121

1,548 posts

201 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
I work shifts. Have to be up at 4am 2 days after finishing at 6am after a night shift.

I sleep till about 12pm etc and try and get round naturally. It doesnt really help that much.

Went to tesco and spoke to the pharmacist and got some tesco own brand called 'sleep aid'

What a relief. I sleep like a baby and yes early is always early but I function so much better. I am more alert and in contrast with my colleague I am bright eyed and bushy tailed.

They cost a massive £1.69 so be prepared! It will give you enough for ten days.

I use them on my the night before my first shift at about 8pm. In bed for 8.30-9pm and sleep very well. I dont then need them for my following shifts as my sleep pattern is sorted.

Hope this helps?

MrPeters

Original Poster:

371 posts

192 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
I will definitely look out for those and give them a try. I'm not having all that much trouble sleeping, I still make sure I get my 7.5 hours but it just seems to be changing when I sleep that causes the problems.

if I do a run of earliest from the second morning in I'm fine, I just feel crap the day I change patterns.

Hoofy

79,985 posts

311 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
When it's shifting about like that, it's not great for your health but many in the NHS have to do it... thus end up walking around like a zombie on their days off (but hopefully pin sharp when working!!).

I read somewhere that sleep works like a bank. If you sleep extra when you don't need to, and then have to do a long day or just don't get as much sleep, it won't affect you so badly. Whether it works for you or not is another matter.

oj121

1,548 posts

201 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
Ive recommended these to a lot of guys on shift just for that first day I found them so effective.

I was ill a good few weeks ago and ended up not sleeping for 3 days straight because I wanted to sleep so bad so got given these and tried them for this shift change thing as I am really REALLY not a morning guy and they genuinely have been such a help. 1 box will last months too. Plus if you are getting that good night first off your rest days dont suffer either and thats the important bit!

oj121

1,548 posts

201 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
Yeah they are the ones. You cant really 'overdo it' by taking them very infrequently. Its when you start using them a few times a week that you get and issue.

Odie

4,187 posts

211 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
Can I go the other way, here and say -

Keep hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Eat fresh fruit.
Exercise.
Eat breakfast.

Sleep is about regularity and quality, not quantity. Have you thought about going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, if thats possible.

Odie

4,187 posts

211 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
dibbers006 said:
... except on Tuesday and Friday when he has to be at work by 5am.
lol but what time does his lates finish?

oj121

1,548 posts

201 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
Odie said:
Can I go the other way, here and say -

Keep hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Eat fresh fruit.
Exercise.
Eat breakfast.

Sleep is about regularity and quality, not quantity. Have you thought about going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, if thats possible.
Thats perfect, but only if you work regular hours. Its impossible to do with shift work. Not sure how extreme the ops hours are but for instance i work fri-sun 20.00-06.00 with days off on mon-wed then thurs-sat I will do 06.00-16.00 then on monday I will do 15.00-01.00. Thats if im off on time on any of those days.

Regularity goes so far out of the window. I do the first 4 bits to help but a sleep pattern is a thing dreams are made of!!!!

Odie

4,187 posts

211 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
oj121 said:
Odie said:
Can I go the other way, here and say -

Keep hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Eat fresh fruit.
Exercise.
Eat breakfast.

Sleep is about regularity and quality, not quantity. Have you thought about going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, if thats possible.
Thats perfect, but only if you work regular hours. Its impossible to do with shift work. Not sure how extreme the ops hours are but for instance i work fri-sun 20.00-06.00 with days off on mon-wed then thurs-sat I will do 06.00-16.00 then on monday I will do 15.00-01.00. Thats if im off on time on any of those days.

Regularity goes so far out of the window. I do the first 4 bits to help but a sleep pattern is a thing dreams are made of!!!!
how does the company you work for benefit from your shift pattern?