Many night shift nurses have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Check these tips to help you get a great night (or day’s) sleep.
Insomnia:
Insomnia is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Episodes may come and go (episodic), last up to 3 weeks (short-term), or be long-lasting (chronic).
Create Darkness:
Two great ways to create darkness to help you sleep better during the day are to use a Sleep mask like this one by Sleep Master or to create a dark room by using some Black-out shade or window covering like the one pictured here by Shift Shade.
Limit Noise:
Turn off your cell phone and other items that may distract you from sleeping. White noise is helpful for some to block out any external noises like the neighbor’s lawn mower or kids playing. Try this White Noise Sound Machine.
Herbal Sleep Aides
Occasional use of sleep aids may help get you to sleep if you are having trouble on a particular occasion. Get the lightest dose you can, and don’t use it daily. Using sleep aids daily can cause dependency and drowsiness during your shift. Check with your physician and ensure that there aren’t any contraindications with any prescription medications you are taking. Check these Natural Sleep Aides
Other Tips:
- Get plenty of regular exercise.
- Set a sleep schedule and try to stick to it even on your days off.
- Set regular meal times.
- Make an effort to get a moderate amount of sun. Sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet.
What do you do to ensure a good ‘day’s’ sleep when working the night shift? Give your tips in the comments!
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