Tips for packing a ready to go lightweight kit for sleep-ins at work

[ItWillBeBetterinAugust]

I have to do sleep-in shifts at work, where I'm on duty in case of medical emergency but am allowed to sleep (not actively working from 10pm until 6am).

There's a room with a comfortable 3/4 double bed and a dvd player and a private bathroom. There is however nowhere for staff to leave personal possessions. Some colleagues leave duvets but tbh this means they are likely to be used by someone else, and they are stored on top of a cupboard.

I've been taking everything backwards and forwards in a holdall without an enormous amount of thought given to sorting out a special lightweight "kit" because this exact role is meant to be temporary, and I was expecting to move to a role without sleep-ins soon. For various reasons though I've agreed now to stay permanently where I am.

Now that it's long term I want a better kit!

What I have now is annoyingly heavy - I have to carry it up a couple of flights of stairs as well as storing it upstairs at home.

Any expert packers? What would you have as your ready to go sleep in bag?

Which bag?
Which duvet/ duvet substitute?
Which sleepwear (has to be as respectable as day wear, so pyjamas)?
Which toiletries and light weight towels?

Aim overall is light weight and low bulk but nice so I can get comfortable and not feel as though I'm awkwardly making do (which is how I feel now, sleeping in a sleeping bag but with a bulky unwieldy hold all none the less).

Decathlon do blow up pillows. My daughter has one and it seems good.

The trick with travel towels is to use a dry flannel to get as much water off your body as possible before using the travel towel.

You can probably get a similar bag for half the price @ItWillBeBetterinAugust if you are only using it to travel to work and back and don't need something super sturdy. Just google backpack with wheels.

To make it cosy I would look at scent - something like a "This works" pillow spray or a body lotion? Some sachets of nice coffee and hot choc? Something to play music on?

Ps. Before you buy leggings to sleep in, try it first. I can't, the tight leg at the bottom drives me crazy all night!

And John Lewis do washable coverless duvets in bags too!

www.johnlewis.com/the-fine-bedding-company-night-owl-coverless-duvet-10-5-tog/p4055112

I do not know your role but can you not work/sleep in scrubs? Then just chuck a hoody on and drive home.

Is there any linen on the bed? Sheets etc otherwise it will have to be a sleeping bag.

I also cant sleep in leggings - I have a pair of open bottom tracksuit bottoms I use for camping/overnights like these ... mine are an earlier version
Bamboo is a great fabric as feels nice and seems robust (i've had mine for years)
bambooclothing.co.uk/shop/gathered-waist-palazzo-pants-charcoal-marl/

I'd be tempted with sleeping in a t/cami and chucking over a longer line hoodie
bambooclothing.co.uk/shop/serenity-bamboo-hoody-2/

if footwear an issue think I would go for some felt clog type thing

www.toa.st/uk/product/f5ita/felted+wool+suede+slippers.htm?clr=f5ita_darknavy&noredirect&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7aPyBRChARIsAJfWCgKhNSuF3TjQJsLBo6rDGZeT99fensIqhx9iTHBmgKwo-dDsGgRsxZUaAoPxEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I would definitely have a thin 100% cotton duvet cover. The difference between that any polyester duvet (for some people) can be huge in terms of a snuggly ‘home like’ night’s rest.

I do sleep ins but our bedding and towels are provided, we are responsible for changing the bed sheets/covers in the morning although some prefer to bring a sleeping bag and inflatable pillow.

I have a standard backpack which contains;
Ziplock bag for toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, face cloth, moisturiser, lip balm.
Pjs - dark trousers, vest and a long sleeve top to throw in if I need to get up.
Spare charger.

I got great pjs around Christmas from uniqlo - they look like clothes (long sweatshirt and plain sweatshirt fabric trousers) , so nobody would know they’re pyjamas :)

I have a yeti quilt which is lovely, light but definitely not one to leave lying around.

I have a satchel that I carry everything in but definitely sleep in scrubs if there is a potential of someone knocking on your door. I have started taking in toiletries from a company called gruum - they have a facial tonic spray which is great when you have to go from fast asleep to bright eyed and bushy tailed instantly.

Sounds like there is also a need to have a discussion to have a secure place to put your stuff - either just for the night or in the longer term. If there are people who like to tidy stuff away then there needs to be a designated place (or two for the immediate night and for the long term) that is fit for purpose and doesn’t end up with things going missing for months as a result of over enthusiastic colleagues.

wibdib yep you're right. I've had other priorities at work and have been expecting to move to another location, but now I'm staying I should bring that up. I've no real idea why everyone else is fine with nowhere to reliably leave possessions at work. There are store rooms with plenty of space that could be suitable, though slightly annoyingly on a different floor. There's no room in the actual sleep in room because it's also the medication room...

I do sleep in leggings and a t-shirt at work the moment, but I'm going to go for some "lounge wear". The whe sleeping bag and daytime clothes are I think part of the unsatisfactory camping/ not really sleeping thing. We don't wear scrubs, we all work in jeans (not a uniform but might as well be, I've actually never seen anyone wear anything else at work... )