For many, working shifts can affect our circadian rhythm, the natural body clock which tells us when to sleep and when to wake up each day. Check out these top tips for staying on the ball in your job, even if you're a little lacking in sleep...
Go for an evening stroll
If you work during the night and you're afraid of feeling sleepy on the job, a great idea is to head out for an evening stroll when it's still sunny in the evening. The increase in light exposure and fresh air can really help your body to feel awake and ready for the work ahead, giving you a natural energy boost without the need for caffeine..
Try out some caffeine
Although not the most ideal methods of staying awake, caffeinated beverages really can be life savers when it comes to night shifts and are often a necessary component of working through the night.
An important point to remember is to decrease your caffeine consumption towards the end of your shift, much like you would do if you were working in the day time, this makes it easier to head to bed when you return home and allows your body to regain it's natural clock at a faster pace.
Keep moving!
If you're finding yourself sitting at your desk and moving little, it can be much more tempting to fall asleep on the job. A great way to get around this is to get get moving!
Night shits, for many, involve a lot of movement anyway, whether they're midwife positions of working in the fire service, but if your job is a desk job, it's best to walk up and down the work place once every half an hour to stay awake. When it hits your lunch break, enjoy your food outside or take a stroll to a local park, this can be great for avoiding the afternoon slump at work.
Ensure Safety
Driving home drowsy after a night shift can be a real hazard, as you tend to be completely exhausted!
Take public transport if you can, or ask a friend or family member to come and get you from your place of work.