If you are a nurse who works the night shift, I know where things can be difficult! Let’s face it, you wake up all night when your body says that you have to sleep with the rest of the world.
That is not only physically burdensome, but also mentally.
Nurses who work in the night shift are some heavy cookies, so first be proud of yourself. Secondly, if you plan to stay on nights for a while, you must implement some crucial tips in your life.
I will share useful night shift tips with you that help to maintain a structured, happy lifestyle, despite the fact that you go against your circadian rhythm.
In the past I was a night shift nurse in the past and I learned so many things along the way!
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My experience as a night shift nurse
Before we discuss the super useful tips, you need to know that I really loved the night shift. It was such a challenge (which I really love), and I learned so much about myself and my body through my experience.
My dream job was to be a nurse of work and delivery, and I ended up that role in a night service position. I was also dating someone who was new at the time (my now husband!) So when I say challengeI mean challenge.
A good part of me that I was a night shift nurse was really bad for dinner. I have always had the feeling that I ‘deserved’ to eat what I wanted because of how ‘tough’ my circumstances were.
Although my eating habits were bad, I was pretty solid in my sleeping habits.
I would make sure I got eight hours of sleep for my services, and I also had no problem sleeping on my days off. For the context I worked three services from 12 hours a week. Other night service schedules can be:
- Eight hours of services five days a week
- Ten hours of services four days a week
Challenges of working the night shift
An obvious challenge for every night shift nurse is the fact that you have to spend all night with a well -functioning brain.
During most of your life you slept all night. When your job suddenly finished all night in a week, your circadian rhythm will get confused.
Energy levels are influenced
Because only your professional life takes place at night, your energy levels are easily influenced if you sleep on all hours of the day.
You sleep at night on your days off. You sleep during the day on workdays.
This will have a negative influence on your energy levels, if and when you do not implement critical habits and practices that help to maintain a consistent, steadily energy level with such an inconsistent schedule. We are going to talk a bit about it!
Inconsistent diet and appetite
Working in the night shift can lead to an inconsistent diet and appetite. You may come from a service at 7 o’clock, but you crave a hamburger and fries. Or you start your service at 7 p.m. and you don’t feel hungry until 2 p.m.
The added stress of the working night shift can also increase or reduce your appetite, depending on the person you are.
Mood swings
Hand in hand with low energy levels, your mood can quickly change a tired mind and body.
It can feel like a constant feeling of “jet lag” and never being able to catch up with sleep.
This can increase irritability and throw you in a cycle of consuming energy drinks and then crash again and again.
Enforce a social life
The general public work during the day and have free time in the nights. They also have during the weekend off when most social activities take place.
Since most night shift nurses work some at the weekend, it can be difficult to maintain a social life.
Fits the dating world
I have first -hand experience in dating while working night shift, and it can be difficult to find a person who understands your nurse’s life.
When you go to work, they end their day. It can feel lonely and annoying that you have to work if they are free to catch up.
Useful tips for nurses who work the night shift
Give your sleep priority!
This is the # 1 most critical tip you should follow if you want a happy, healthy night service.
Sleep gives your energy, and because your schedule is not as easy as sleeping every day every day, you have to put some effort into it.
You know yourself best, so if you need black -out curtains, a sleeping mask, white noise, melatonin or earplugs, then add it consistently to your sleep routine.
During my night shifts I would wear earplugs if I needed my sleep during the day because I lived with my family. I need silence to sleep well, so I had to add this to my sleep routine.
If you have trouble sleeping, experiment with different things until you find what works for you. I said it would make some effort, but you will find out!
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Use a huge water bottle
Staying hydrated during your night shift is so important. Water gives you so much energy and also fights headaches, something that can happen if you go against your circadian rhythm.
I recommend buying a large water bottle, so that you don’t have to suffer from it constantly. The simple action of filling a water bottle can prevent you from staying hydrated, so eliminate that need!
Some of my recommendations are:
I love your night service team
Developing a band of the family type with your night service team will make a day and day difference (that was not deliberately fun)!
Of course you can’t choose WHO You cooperate, so hopefully you work with a number of great colleagues to make this easier.
Stay friendly, open, helpful and reliable, and you attract the same.
Four moments at work
Working night shifts can often feel boring and a little miserable. Shine light on your services by celebrating holidays or birthdays at work!
Coordinate pot happiness, do secret santa, doll on live streams of fireworks in July 4.
You have to become creative whether you will get lost in the everyday routine of work and associate with something that you take away from all the things you love. It doesn’t all have to be miserable.
Take a dinner break
Just as if you were working during the day and taking a lunch break, you have to take a dinner break into account. It’s just a different timing, but it’s the same concept.
Refuel your body with nutrients is what you will wear by your service both physically and mentally.
You need your body to move and your brain to think as a nurse, right?
Stay with a schedule of “day off”
Because your days off are a bit crazy, consisting of sleeping after your previous service, but knowing that you also have the night to sleep, you have to be aware.
Depending on how you are, you may sleep 3-4 hours after your last service to give you some energy, then enjoy your day and sleep at a decent hour at night for a good night’s sleep.
You have to go into your days off with a bit of a plan to maximize your energy while still enjoying your free time! You don’t all want to sleep through it!
Make sure you practice self -care
In general, nurses must practice self -care if they want to stay conscious, balanced and in peace. Stay up all night while you meet high demands in a fast working environment can be stressful.
Check out These simple habits that you can add to your life that have great benefits.
Summary …
Night service nurses are some of the most difficult nurses there are. However, it takes extra effort to shine out.
Your health is more easily influenced than working day service, so you must give priority and give the attention it deserves.
When you put your health first, you will perform so much better at work and have a better opinion about your circumstances.
Now pull out those black-out curtains and get some rest.
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