Sleep Patterns- Split Shifts.

[kvalidir]

Hi, Has anyone here do or have done split shifts, I'm having to adopt a strange sleep pattern for a while being awake til about 5.00am but also need to be on the ball for the majority of the day. I've been sleeping sort of 5.00 am ish -9 or 10 am (mostly) and then cat napping around 6.00pm- 8.00pm but this really isn't working and I'm nearly dying here. I don't usually sleep much is the odd thing, so 4 -6 hours isn't unusual for me, just don't know why I can't get my body to accept this pattern. Would I be better to lose the evening catnap, I have a feeling that might be making things worse. Thanks x

[ummmm]

I used to work nights and for me it was a killer. I could barely function. I did have three kids though so that didn't help.

I find cat napping makes me feel more tired and groggy so I always try and stay awake and wait for my second wind, which usually happens.

[Cloverjo]

If you need a nap in the evening, stick to 20 minutes. Set an alarm. That should keep you going. Any longer than that and you go into a deeper sleep which makes you feel groggy when you wake up.

[Eleena]

Kval,
what are your work hours?

[Jackdaw33]

I am fiercely opposed to split shifts. I fail to see how employers benefit from them but apart from anything else they double the daily transport costs. I rate them just below zero hours contracts in terms of abolition.

[dannyk13]

Hard to answer this without knowing what your split shift entails.

[Jackdaw33]

Kval is a luvvie so she may have to do daytime scenes and nighttime scenes.

[Mamyalynne]

I think love is involved :-)

Try power naps as suggested during the nap , better than drifting into deeper sleep.

[Mamyalynne]

^ during the day

[kvalidir]

Thanks Jack yes more or less, it's some of that but also even when not shooting night scenes, the fact that I'm in a relationship with someone in the States who also has to be on set long days and our timelines are clashing horribly and in effect if I don't stay up til daylight I just wouldn't get to spend any time with him at all, but what finished me off the other day was I had to spend two days straight filming soaking wet and freezing cold with no nightime sleep at all. So hourswise literally it's all over the place but always no sleep during darkness and busy most of the day, and I'm non too sure how much longer I can keep it up tbh.

[Barmaid]

Kval. You're going to have to let something give short term. If you keep trying to burn the candle at both ends you will burn out. I know new man is a big thing for you atm but you are going to have to sacrifice a bit of time with him to ensure you don't feel wiped out.

Also to try and make sure you get rest try a dark room soothing gentle music no technology hot milky drink and try some relaxation techniques. You may not sleep but you might feel rested.

[Maydup]

Could you take turns in staying up to spend time with each other and share the sleepless nights?

[tonyav]

I worked permanent nights for over twenty years.
Forget the cat napping 6 - 8pm ( used to make me feel worse ). In your case it would be better to prise your eyes open until around 9pm and then go to bed.

[Eve]

You need to look after yourself or you'll end up completely wiped out and that's not going to bode well for your health, your work or your relationship.

If you push things too far, especially if you are using things like caffeine or other things to try and help you keep awake, then your body will try to intervene. I don't think trying to force your body to accept the way things are now is going to work, as your body doesn't seem happy.

Try to focus on quality time. If he is a decent guy then he isn't going to want you to burn yourself out just so that you can speak every day. I know it's not the same but you could always record video messages for each other if you aren't able to speak live. If you are exhausted then you don't want to end up resenting staying up to talk or being ratty when you do speak.

So, firstly you need to let your body catch up, get some decent sleep and rest and then work out a more forgiving schedule.

[Eleena]

Could you chat on alternate days kval? Catch up with some sleep.

[kvalidir]

He's a very decent guy but he's not in a scenario where he can alter what he's doing at all really and he's already completely wiped out and ill by his schedule and although he's exhausted struggles to sleep too so whatever we do we've got the scenario that unless I stay up we'd never speak. I'm seriously getting to hate this industry, but I know you're right I cannot keep staying up all night and working a lot in the day, albeit lots of just hanging about not actually doing anything. He's coming over for 3 days in July and I'm going back with him for a couple of weeks, so if I can limp through til then, I'll try and cut out the cat naps and do as much relaxation type things as I can slide in and see if that helps. Thank you all x

[Eleena]

Nothing more, nothing less, love is the beeeeeest! But doesn't it mess your sleep up! ;0)

[kvalidir]

lol it certainly does, I wouldn't do this for anyone else x