Does Anyone Here Work Shifts?

[naomi24]

I mean inconsistent and unsociable hours? If so how do you manage without a regular sleep pattern? Do you sleep well regardless of the time of day?

[Peter Pedant]

oh yeah forgot
did 7 to 9 for a month in 1980 - 7 pm to 9 am

obs ward. You just did it - some cd sleep and some didnt
Those who can 'do it' stick with it.

[naomi24]

Thanks for all your answers. This question crossed my mind because I often read here about the problems that so many seem to have sleeping and I wondered if anyone who lives such a disrupted lifestyle may have any good tips to help them. My dad worked shifts but, until I grew up, it never occurred to me just how difficult that must be.

[ladybirder]

Paul, did you wet the bed sleeping for that long?
I can't imagine how anyone can sleep that long without having to go to the bathroom.

[Dagman]

Worked 3 rotating shifts for 37 years, was easy when younger but later a struggle at times, as said here other people being noisy, workmen, grass cutters, even postie banging on door to deliver, eating habits bad. But the choice was mine and extra pay in wages made it worthwhile. Don't miss it now though!

[galasalmon]

Did it for 4 years on nights as someone says better in the winter just getting off to sleep and someone is out with the lawnmower or hammering at something . You just had to get on as you can’t tell people to be quiet during the day.

[Paul22118]

Ladybirder..... I cannot remember, but I would think that because I had not eaten a meal or had a drink probably for a good few hours before hitting the sack and going to the loo before falling into bed, I survived the experience 'intact'. I would have been around 20 years of age at that time. I do remember it clearly though.

[Ashuvyahu]

I worked rotating shifts for years. In fact, for 6 years I kept a schedule of Sunday day shift, Monday-Tuesday graveyard shift, Wednesday-Thursday evening shift. How did I manage?

I'd bed down for 4 hours before taking on graveyard shifts, accepting cues from hypnagogic dreams. These are sleep-admitting dreams, typically of short duration before entering Stage 1 sleep. Once I encounter a hypnagogic dream, I can either bounce back to waking or ignore it and dive into Stage 1. A single cycle of sleep can easily be followed by a second cycle. I'd have enough energy that night to get through my shift, allowing to bed down again the following morning.

The difficult part pertained to hot weather. I installed an evaporative cooler. Not only did it drop the ambient room temperature, but the drone of the motor contributed to drowsiness through white noise.

[johnny.5]

yes me
i have been doing shift work here at the factory for the last 35 years it started of as nights mon-thur 14 hours shifts
then rotating 8 hours 6-2 . 2-10 . 10-6
now its 4x 12 hours nights then 4 off then 4x12 hours days then 4 off
I sleep normally from 10 pm till 5 am when on day shifts
but when on nights I tend to sleep from 8 till 12 up for a couple of hours then back to bed from 3 till 5 but it screws my body clock up after night shifts