I've heard ppl getting hooked on sleeping medication. To me that ain't worth it
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So who here's a shiftworker?
- Thread starter DJM
- Start date
I've heard ppl getting hooked on sleeping medication. To me that ain't worth it
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Nyx13
Guest
Melatonin is a natural hormone supplement, you can't get 'hooked' on it. It's what starts your body into sleep mode...but it doesn't work for everyone. Gravol is the same drug as Benadryl. That's why I can't take Benadryl for my allergies unless I'm at home 'cause it puts me on my face!
As most have already mentioned; Darkness in your room - during daytime sleep hours, this is essential from a number of standpoints, there's been a LOT of research on it. BTW, Ikea has cheap black-out blinds that work well. I make sure mine are sealed up around the sides so light doesn't leak by.
White noise or ear-plugs if you are a light sleeper or have noise sources nearby.
Water (as someone suggested) so you don't disturb your sleep too much by getting up.
Also, make sure your room is a bit cooler than you prefer for normal awake time. Your body temp drops as you sleep, if it's too warm, you don't sleep as well and you're already fighting your natural circadian rhythms...don't make it harder!
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lmao I wish I had 3 days to switch. I don't even get a day off between shifts sometimes. Worked Thrursday night, got off Friday morning and bang I'm here Saturday morning to work a 12 hour shift
The best is going from day shift one day and the very next day working a night shift...any way you look at it you get screwed with that...you either try to stay up all night which means you're up for 24 hours so you can sleep the day or you fall asleep like normal then your up 24 hours by they time you finish your night shift.
I did shift work for 13 years when I was a Millwright. Don't miss it one bit. The only way your body will ever get somewhat used to it is if you land a permanent shift, you'll never quite get used to a rotating shift schedule. Except for the taking drugs, most of what has been posted in here is good advice. You just have to find what works for you, be it "white noise" or whatever. For me, simply closing the curtains and keeping the room cool worked for all shift schedules, but like I said even after 13 years of it my body never really fully adapted. Oh, and you'll undergo a slight to moderate personality change, too, as your body struggles to adapt to a mucked up sleep schedule.
I wasn't specifically referring to Melantonin, was referring to nyqil and the likes.
But since u mentioned it, some of these chemicals has got to be bad for your body...
Hey, as they say the lifespan of a shift worker decreases a bit :shrug:
http://www.methodsofhealing.com/are-there-melatonin-side-effects/
Some people are permanently night or day people. If that's the case for you, you might be better off taking a shorter bulk nap in the day & several naps throughout the night.
I don't look forward to having a 9-5 when I'm older 'cause I'm a night owl - my brain actually functions best at night. No matter what I did, I couldn't adjust to a day schedule...so when I have school, I gotta get on the a milder version of the Ubermann Sleep Diet/polyphasic sleeping.
I really hope that isn't the case for you 'cause it's inconvenient af.
I don't look forward to having a 9-5 when I'm older 'cause I'm a night owl - my brain actually functions best at night. No matter what I did, I couldn't adjust to a day schedule...so when I have school, I gotta get on the a milder version of the Ubermann Sleep Diet/polyphasic sleeping.
I really hope that isn't the case for you 'cause it's inconvenient af.
I was over in Detroit today doing some shopping. Picked up 360 1mg tablets of Melatonin for 9 bucks at Meijers, Jamieson brand. They had 5mg tabs as well but I'll try the smaller dosages first.
I'll revisit this thread after a couple of months and comment on how I'm adapting. Thanks for the tips.
It's quite mild out, taking the bike for a quick ride to the LCBO.
I'll revisit this thread after a couple of months and comment on how I'm adapting. Thanks for the tips.
It's quite mild out, taking the bike for a quick ride to the LCBO.
We have the 3mg tabs at home but my mom said not to take them more than 3 nights in a row...have no clue why. First time I tried the melatonine about 2 months ago it worked the first night. I was asleep within and hour of taking it. The second time it did not work at all. Pleas let me know how the 1 mg works out for you.
174Racing
Well-known member
I've worked shift work pretty much all my adult life... the last few years I've developed a very specific routine. The eve before I start my nights I set the house up for sleep, all the windows on the top floor are covered and temperature set. The bedroom is blacked out totally and I set it up to feel like night.
I'm only on nights for 3-4 in a row so I keep my meals on track, I get home and eat breakfast (I also find eating at night makes me feel like s***) and take some time to relax... read, surf, whatever I do typically in the evening on day shift.
First night isn't too bad, but the second kills me. After that I start to get into the routine. The big thing for me is the routine from end of work to getting in bed, I don't allow anything to get into the way in that couple of hours.
I'm only on nights for 3-4 in a row so I keep my meals on track, I get home and eat breakfast (I also find eating at night makes me feel like s***) and take some time to relax... read, surf, whatever I do typically in the evening on day shift.
First night isn't too bad, but the second kills me. After that I start to get into the routine. The big thing for me is the routine from end of work to getting in bed, I don't allow anything to get into the way in that couple of hours.
slowbird
Well-known member
I heard the problem with Melatonin is that if you take it...after a while your body will stop producing it naturally cause it hasn't needed to (since you've been taking the pills).
I don't take them and I keep telling my GF she needs to learn how to fall asleep some other way.
I don't take them and I keep telling my GF she needs to learn how to fall asleep some other way.
What is it that you do???
EngineerJoe
Well-known member
I worked the graveyard shift years ago. I would work Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, and then attended school full-time during the day throughout the week. Despite the constant switching, I never had a problem sleeping.
When my dad worked the graveyard shift, he made a bedroom in the basement with the windows blocked off; dark as night and just as silent. Neither of us have ever relied on any form of medication.
When my dad worked the graveyard shift, he made a bedroom in the basement with the windows blocked off; dark as night and just as silent. Neither of us have ever relied on any form of medication.
Same with mine. I think that's why I did so well in school when I worked 3 graveyard shifts a week (Attained a 3.9 GPA).
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daught
Well-known member
lmao I wish I had 3 days to switch. I don't even get a day off between shifts sometimes. Worked Thrursday night, got off Friday morning and bang I'm here Saturday morning to work a 12 hour shift
The best is going from day shift one day and the very next day working a night shift...any way you look at it you get screwed with that...you either try to stay up all night which means you're up for 24 hours so you can sleep the day or you fall asleep like normal then your up 24 hours by they time you finish your night shift.
That's brutal. I looked up the labor laws and the minimum time off is 8 hours between shifts. It should be at least 12... in a third world country. Time to riot
OpenGambit
Banned
It used to be 9 in BC when I dealt cards.
Finding I don't really need or want the melatonin. Dark room and earplugs suffice. Plus the wife puts the phones on silent and the dog crashes beside the bed with me. Still get a good 6-7 hours sleep.
That freakin' melatonin gave me nightmares. I never remember my dreams, but these were IMAX sized and vivid. I have to stop playing so much Gears of War and COD on the weekends.
That freakin' melatonin gave me nightmares. I never remember my dreams, but these were IMAX sized and vivid. I have to stop playing so much Gears of War and COD on the weekends.
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