Top 7 tips for surviving your night shift!

Night shifts are an integral part of working in the healthcare industry, but it’s probably fair to say that some of us hate working night shifts! That’s why we’ve shared our 7 top tips on how you can survive your night shift.

Going onto your night shift

1. Schedule sleep

Working at night can interrupt your normal sleeping pattern, but getting the adequate amount of sleep beforehand will really help! If your shift is at 11pm, wake up at 6am and do as many little jobs as possible, after doing so your body will be ready to go to sleep at 2pm, which will allow 8 hours sleep and 1 hour to get ready.

2. Eat a good “breakfast” before work

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day – even if it is at 10pm! Before heading to your nightshift, make sure you’ve eaten a decent meal that will keep you going till your break.

On night shift

3. Eat energy-filled meals/snacks

Remember that lunch will be in the middle of the night, so pack something you’ll enjoy ahead of your shift. Try to avoid heavy foods as this is more likely to cause fatigue later in your shift. Eating foods that provide you with energy such as whole grains and proteins will help to give you steady energy throughout your shift. Good snacking foods include; nuts, dried fruits, and yogurts that’ll keep your body energized between meals.

4. Stay hydrated

It can be difficult to grab a drink on shift, but it is important to keep hydrated as dehydration can cause tiredness, confusion and dizziness, so drink up!

5. Don’t go overboard on the caffeine

It can be tempting to have lots of coffee and caffeinated drinks whilst on a night shift. However, it is best to drink these wisely as drinking too much caffeine can make you jittery and less productive.

After your night shift

6. Get home safely after the shift

If you have a long drive ahead of your following your night shift, please think twice about getting behind the wheel to drive home! If you can, consider leaving your car at home and taking public transport to work. Your family and friends will be grateful to have you back home safely, even if it means getting back a little later.

7. Get some rest!

If you are working consecutive night shifts, get to bed straight after a snack and a shower. Try not to get sucked into watching the latest episode of your favourite TV programme, switch off your phone and try to relax.

When getting into bed, make your bedroom as dark as possible with black out blinds/curtains. Wear a sleep mask to keep your eyes from sensing light. Ear plugs are also good for helping to block daytime noises out.

We'd love to hear your comments and tips on how you survive a night shift!