Night shift exhaustion

[Luckylis32]

So I wanted to start this thread to see if it was just me basically I work nights in a care home have for over 5 years doing 3 on 2 off 8pm - 8am and I’m finding lately I’m exhausted my two days off are spent literally cat napping on the sofa then still sleeping in the night.

I get paid decent at my job 13.00 pound a hour I bring home just under 1900 a month after tax and pention and I know this is good compared to most carers getting minimum wage otherwise I’d change jobs. I also look after my mom on my days off so my sister can have a break she has early onset of dementia which is manageable for now but leaves me feeling without a social life I’m just existing not really living.

I have spoken to my boss about lowering my hours or even switching to days but theres that many people quitting right now due to the home closing he said they would really struggle he’s also put a lot of pressure on me to pick up shifts this is the first week I’ve said no simply because I know in my heart I’m not capable of doing it.

do any other night shift workers have any tips on how to deal with exhaustion i never suffered this bad before not sure if it’s cause I’m getting older or how long I’ve been doing it I’ve been so tempted to call in sick tonight and just tell them I’m too tired to come in but it sounds really silly saying it out loud no one at my work place is very sympathetic and I know they’d probably laugh and say something like we’re all tired you still need to come in

any advice would help

Maybe have a chat to the GP. Yes it could just be tiredness from you shifts but if the cat napping is new to you it could also be Vitamin D deficiency (sounds like you don’t see the light of day much), B12 deficiency, low iron or thyroid issues.

I'm not much help. Nights absolutely killed me. I had to just give night shifts up as my body clock never adjusted. Some people can do it, I just couldn't and was never able to sleep in the day no matter how I tried which resulted in living in a zombie like state which made me Ill in the end because I was so exhausted day and night. Maybe nights just isn't your thing? I'd never in a million years do it again myself.

Have suffered with iron deficiency before didn’t even think of that will definitely book in with gp

Hi op I work 3/4 nights in the care home as well and I’m not to bad as you described your tiredness. But it is tiring and no social life indeed! I started taking multivitamins and it’s really helping me with energy and the other things I make sure I sleep enough after work. My hours is 7pm - 7 am and I also work 3 nights on 2 off and then 1 in the week I do 4 is tiring and only enjoys the week I work 3 because I get 4 off and I get enough time to rest and catch with housework. Definitely book the GP to check your iron level

I'm a night shift worker. DH works office hours all week, we swap over Friday teatime and I do two 12 and a half hour nights. I mean, the first one sucks a bit. By the time I get to bed Sat morning, I've often been awake 27 hours plus. I find not eating helps me. Light tea before I go and then not a bean all night, not even a biscuit. Apparently it helps your body stay in day/night mode by not confusing your digestive system. Worth a try. But I feel you, I'm 2 years into this pattern and I'll admit I'm bloody knackered, don't think I could put up with it longer term, only 1 year till DD goes full time school, I can't wait!