How to Sleep and Work the Late Shift
- 1). Try not to drink caffeine too close to the end of your work shift. It can keep you from falling asleep.
- 2). Avoid smoking near the end of your shift. Nicotine is a stimulant.
- 3). Prepare for bed as you normally would at night, and establish a routine.
- 4). Eat something light before going to bed. Otherwise, hunger pangs can awaken you.
- 5). Darken your bedroom. Too much light can interfere with the quality of sleep. Hang up "black out" curtains, drape dark sheets over the windows or use a sleep mask.
- 6). Minimize noise and possible distractions. Unplug the phone; close the bedroom door; use earplugs.
- 7). Get a full "day's" sleep. Sleep the same number of hours you would at night. Schedule appointments or other activities during your waking hours, not during the middle of your sleep time.
- 8). Try to go to sleep and get up at the same time every day/night. It will help train your body to adjust to its new sleep routine.
