The night shift at a shipyard may be very attractive to you at some point in your career. But what happens when you shift from working during the day to at night. There is a lot that physically happens to your body when you make this transition. Sleep is essential and to make such a significant change can impact your natural patterns. If you work in a shipyard and choose to take on a night shift position, you will have to think about the ways you can make this altered schedule work for you. Here are 5 tips to help you when you’re making these overnight or swing shift changes in your schedule.
1. Be consistent.
Know that it will be hard to switch to this new schedule, but it’s also important. You will need to focus on getting the right amount of sleep during daytime hours and adopting healthy habits even on your days off. You’ll need to resist the urge to have a more “normal” schedule while you’re not working because it will impact your ability to have a good sleep before your next scheduled shift.
2. Eat well and exercise.
You may not think about it ahead of time, but your mealtimes will be shifting too. This can be enough to throw your body off schedule. Try to avoid fast food or unhealthy snacks that feel more convenient. Stick to healthy foods and regular meal times. Add exercise to help you maintain the right amount of energy rather than relying on caffeine boosts or other unhealthy habits.
3. Try light therapy.
You can use simple technology to trick your body into adjusting to a night schedule. Try to work in an environment that is as brightly lit as possible. You may need a place to go where you can recharge with bright lights if you’re working in a dark area. Working in the dark will trip your body’s natural tired response since we are biologically programmed to sleep when it’s dark out.
4. Use blackout curtains or shades.
When you’re home and trying to sleep during the day, you can use the same theory to trick your body as well. When the sun is out, you want to be awake, so make your body believe that it’s not. Use blackout curtains in your home, especially your bedroom, to help you fall asleep during daytime hours. Keep your bedroom dark and cool and avoid distractions.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
You also don’t have to do this alone. There are resources available to help you adjust to a night shift role or altered schedule. If you have uncomfortable physical symptoms as a result of your schedule change, talk to your doctor. If you find that you have trouble emotionally, you can also seek help from a professional. Exhaustion can lead to stress which can impact your health and your work.
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Do you have questions about working a night shift? Contact the recruiters at Hutco today.
