A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Shift Work
Forum Posting


Archived Shift Work Forum1 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Shift Work Forum Homepage.

You Are Not Alone!


Posted by Nick Murphy on August 06, 2000 at 08:26:34:

In Reply to: I CANT GET TO SLEEP EARLY!!!! HELP posted by Dick Huertse on July 31, 2000 at 01:11:41:

What you describe is a typical condition associated with working nights and trying to sleep during the day. Even though your work schedule is a little unusual, getting off at 3:00 am.

Your bodies natural pattern of physiological functions, or circadian rhythms, dictates if you are prepared for a sleep state or an alertness state. Even if you work night shift for years, your body stays in tune with a daytime alertness and nighttime sleepiness pattern due to exposure to light. Light exposure regulates your circadian rhythm.

So when you get home and attempt to sleep, your body is just beginning to start to wake you up! The only thing short of installing a circadian lighting system in your facility, is to adhere to certain practices that work for you. You need to experiment to find what works best.

1. Keep your sleeping room totaly dark
2. Keep it cool
3. Use some sort of white noise generator such as a fan or air conditioner
4. Relax before attempting sleep, take a warm bath, read, etc.
5. Avoid exercise, nicotine, caffiene, and yes, alcohol before bed. (caffiene stays in your system for up to 8 hours and while alcohol may help you to "fall" asleep, it will prevent you from getting a good quality of sleep)
6. Let your friends know when you are trying to sleep
7. Try different times. What you are doing now, sleep at 11 am wake at 4 pm, isn't all that bad, though a little short.

Read up on shiftwork and sleep. There are many publications available to you. Try NIOSH, they have a free one.

Good Luck,

Nick Murphy

Follow Ups:


Archived Shift Work Forum1 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Shift Work Forum Homepage.
  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2005 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved