Shift work problems?

Question

Maybe night shift workers can offer me some advices. I will soon regain my job as a product laberer, second shift, Mon-Fri from 2:30pm to 9:30pm. I usually get home at 10pm then at 11:30pm I go to bed. But although I appreciate the fact that I don't work during the night, second shift has some challanges for me. First my mother is annoying and wakes me up at 6am sometimes when she finds something on Facebook that she wants translated. On the days when she lets me I usually get up at 8am. In the weekends I'm off and I go to bed at 9pm then get up at 5:30-6am. There were evenings when I would get very sleepy at work at around 8pm, especially on the days when my mother would wake me up for little reasons. There was even a time when I felt I would almost fall asleep on my way home in the transportation bus (a special bus for me and my workmates). With my eating habits I am well, I eat a large breakfast, then a snack at 1pm before going to work if I need, I eat at 4pm at work then at 10pm a light meal before bed.
What advices do you have for me so that second shift can be easier for me? Thank you!

Shay · Accepted Answer

Stick to the same sleeping habits all the time.  Don't shift to earlier wake-up and bed-times on the weekend.  Following the same pattern EVERY DAY keeps your body in tune to that pattern and reduces that "ready to sleep" that you keep getting in the evenings.  This really shouldn't be too hard on second shift.  (It is more challenging for third shift people to do that)

Your eating habits don't sound too bad - although I will say that eating too much right before bedtime can create a risk for weight gain.  Make sure your last "meal" is light.

Make it VERY CLEAR to your mother that you WILL NOT answer your phone before 8 am - then stick to that plan.  If she continues to call you - then you should start calling her at 11 pm before you go to bed.  I am sure she would enjoy being woke up to hear about your day.   (BTW - I had this issue with my mother and I had to make it very clear that she was NEVER to call before a certain time unless it was an emergency.  Most of us love our parents - but there needs to be boundaries when it comes to our work and sleep schedules.)

I have worked third shift for many years - and love it - but it really takes making a schedule and sticking to it.  Even on my days off, I rarely shift my sleep unless I am actually on vacation and have plans for actual daytime activities.

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Shift work problems?

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