Night shifts! How to cope?

[Dooooooooo]

Luckily I won't have to do them all the time. I did one last night, it was a very low-needs setting, I was mainly there as an extra body just in case so it was mainly sitting on a (very hard, plastic) chair all night. Completed around 1 hour of work out of 11.
I knew it would get a bit chilly but I was shivering, no blankets available, I know your body temp drops during the night but it was awful.
Needing the toilet every hour, I don't know what that was about but it was very unpleasant.
Skin just felt horrendous.
I came home, slept for 7 hours today (like I would have done had I been off work) so plenty of sleep but still feel quite weary and groggy, no energy to do much else!
I know many people who do 4-5 nights a week, I don't know how they cope but I suppose you get used to it.
I did get a short break but found it hard to sleep because it was so cold and the uncomfortable chair, so I'd get 5 mins of sleep here and there.
Does anybody else do them and how do you manage them?

Also are regular snacks on shift and had enough fluids. It was probably worse because I did almost nothing all night. I can't really complain at being paid to sit around!

Night shifts are awful, I used to hate them.

I found it easier doing a few in a row rather than the odd one now and then. Some people would nap on their breaks but I found that worse and would feel more tired. I would try and drink plenty of water. I would try and sleep for about 8 hours between nigh shifts but after my last one, I'd try and get up about midday so I could go back to sleep at a reasonable time to get back in to day mode.

You do get used to it. not doing anything must make it a million times worse, I do nights regularly but am very busy. If I start to get the body aches I go for a little walk or do something active. Try to eat the same as I would in the day so don't eat crap all night and lots and lots of coffee, no red bull though as it stops you sleeping the next day and makes the next night worse.

Thanks for your suggestions. Yeah, I think flitting between days and nights isn't good either, I can't believe how shattered I feel despite 7h sleep today.

Nap in the afternoon before you start, lots of carbs and sugar! And get up at lunchtime the day you finish.

This is like DH. He sleeps as soon as he finishes work then tries to have a snack when he gets up, then maybe beans on toast or similar before work and takes his big meal to work to use throughout the night. I couldn’t do it. I salute you

Not doing them consecutively is best. This paper explains some ways in which health risks might be reduced: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7737811/

Night before you stay up as late as possible, get up as normal then a nap before start time

I work regular nights but I keep myself busy running around...find plenty of people to talk to. Night flies by

Many places don't pay enhanced rates which I think is bad, given the increased risk of health problems from long-term night shift patterns.

I'm gearing up for one right now. I hate them but I only do 2 as part of my set. I can't nap before hand so I just have to power through. I'm a rubbish sleeper too. I try and not eat on a nightshift and get up and about if I'm struggling. Oh and coffee! Lots of!

We get an anti social hours payment

I also do night shifts on overtime. We work 7 on/7 off

Yeah don't eat too much! I eat meals as normally as possible but try not to eat much at night or the weight goes on

The more you do the easier they get. I work permanent nights pretty much but do find it easier when they are together

I eat a big meal before I go,

Then around 9/10pm I'll have a small meal (sandwich/wrap etc)

2am is when I have my snacks choc and crisps usually

Then I'll have breakfast when I get home before I go to bed.

I try to drink plenty of water on shift too.

Good face and hand cream.

My unit is VERY busy though! So I don't often have time to stop and sometimes don't even have breaks 🙈

What kind of work is it?

Definitely wear loads of layers so you can keep warm.

I worked pt nights as a hospital nurse for over 20 yrs and the answer is keep busy , keep moving and plenty to drink . The worse thing for me was sitting down reading .

Take a cardigan with you. The 3am-4am hour is always colder for some reason. If you’re just sitting there, get some regular movement…..I.e. a quick stretch and walk to the door and back. Have something to keep your mind occupied and plenty of water and a couple of coffees spaced out.

I work in a very very old Victorian building complete with cockroaches and rodents! It's either freezing or boiling! It's noisy, smelly and unpleasant

And possibly haunted 👻

Keeps me awake!

Thank you!
Ooh wow, you're brave 😃