As a first responder and healthcare professional working long and irregular hours, adapting to a 12-hour night shift schedule since working in the hospital has been a journey. Not only do I need to manage the physical demands of my work, but I also need to maintain my mental health and overall well-being. The stress of working night shifts, along with the strain on my sleep schedule, can be overwhelming. Over time, I’ve developed strategies that have helped me stay healthy and alert, both during my shifts and in the time between. This post will walk you through the practical changes I’ve made to stay on top of my health, including my approach to sleep hygiene, mental health medication, and adapting my routines to ensure I’m getting the rest I need.
1. Mastering Sleep Hygiene for Night Shifts
Working night shifts means adjusting your body’s natural circadian rhythm, which is the internal biological clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. This can be tough, especially if you’re used to being awake during the day. The key to making it work lies in creating strong sleep hygiene practices that ensure you get quality rest, even during the day when the world around you is awake.
To ensure good sleep hygiene, I’ve taken the following steps:
- Create a dark, quiet, and cool environment: I use blackout curtains and earplugs to block out light and noise, as these can disrupt my ability to fall asleep during the day.
- Limit screen time: The blue light from screens can mess with the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. I avoid screens for at least an hour before sleep.
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule: Even though I’m working different hours, I try to stick to a regular routine. This helps my body adjust and keeps my circadian rhythm as balanced as possible.
By sticking to these sleep practices, I’ve been able to get solid, restorative sleep, even with a rotating night shift schedule.
2. Adjusting My Medication Schedule for Effectiveness
For someone who has struggled with mental health in the past, finding the right medication regimen is crucial. Since working night shifts, I’ve had to make adjustments to my medication schedule to ensure they are working effectively when I’m awake and alert.
I take certainmedications in the evening, right before I start my shift, such as my anti-psychotic, and my non-amphetamine stimulants, ensuring they’re active during the night. I take my mood stabilizer, vitamins, and LifeVantage supplements at the same time in the morning every day, regardless of whether I’m working. This helps keep me balanced and focused throughout my shift while still getting the proper amount of rest when it’s time for sleep.
When I’m not working, I’ll typically skip my stimulants for the first day that I’m off, so that I don’t take a double-dose within a 24-hour period. This also allows my body to reset to being awake during the day and asleep at night since I tend to group my shifts together so that I spend about half the week on nightshift schedule, and the other half on a regular schedule. When I’m preparing to start my nightshift schedule again, I’ll typically stay up late the night before my shift, skip my stimulants in the morning, stay wake for a few hours in the morning, and then sleep during the day. I’ll then start my nightshift routines and regimen again.
Disclaimer- Work with a psychiatrist on altering and adapting your mental health medication regimen. Do not make changes independently. These licensed professionals can guide you on the best regimen to fit your schedule.
3. Bidding Farewell to Energy Drinks: A Game-Changer
Energy drinks had once been a major part of my night shift routine. I was consuming 3-4 Celsius or Monster drinks per shift to stay awake and alert. At first, they seemed to give me the energy boost I needed, but soon I realized they were wreaking havoc on my body.
The sugar and caffeine spikes from energy drinks led to erratic energy levels, making me crash several times during, and after my shift. I also noticed that I had intense sugar cravings, and my mood would dip after the energy high wore off. These highs and lows affected my concentration, mood, and overall sense of well-being.
That’s when I got introduced to AXIO by LifeVantage. AXIO provides a clean, sustained energy boost without the crash. It’s not only helped me stay alert throughout my shift, but I’ve also noticed a significant decrease in sugar cravings, better mental clarity, and even weight loss. This switch has been a game-changer, and I now feel much more in control of my energy levels.
4. Managing Stress Hormones and Oxidative Stress with Protandim
Night shifts can affect more than just your sleep cycle—they can significantly alter your hormone and neurochemical pathways, contributing to chronic stress. Working at night increases cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone) and disrupts the natural balance of other hormones that regulate mood, appetite, and sleep.
The body’s response to night shifts causes an increase in oxidative stress—when free radicals overwhelm the body’s ability to neutralize them, leading to damage in cells, tissues, and organs. With regular, restorative sleep, these free radicals get flushed out by the body, but when having sleep disruptions or changes in sleep pattern due to night shifts, this does not happen as effectively. Over time and with age, we tend to hold on to more and more free radicals in our bodies, this can contribute to various health problems, including burnout, chronic fatigue, and even cardiovascular issues.
I’ve found that Protandim by LifeVantage has been instrumental in helping me manage stress hormones and oxidative stress. Protandim is an antioxidant supplement that helps the body combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and support overall health. Since I’ve started using it, I’ve noticed a significant reduction in my feelings of being “on-edge” all the time, and I feel more balanced in my mental and emotional health. This has been crucial in helping me manage the stress of my job and the irregular hours that come with it.
5. Power Naps: The Secret to Staying Alert
Sometimes, a full night’s sleep isn’t always possible, especially when working long shifts. That’s why I’ve found that taking a short, strategic nap during my shift can work wonders for my alertness and energy levels. Even just a 15-20 minute nap can be incredibly refreshing.
During my lunch break or downtime, I’ll take a quick nap in my car or a quiet area at the hospital. This short rest gives me a boost of energy, reduces fatigue, and helps me stay sharp for the second half of my shift. You’d be surprised what even a brief nap can do for your focus and clarity- just make sure you remember to set an alarm!
I will also take short naps during the days when I’m off and adapting to being awake during the day, and asleep at night. Because of the higher demands on our bodies from a challenging schedule and the work we do, it is natural to feel more tired regardless of how regimented we are. Allowing the space for my body to feel fatigued, is essential. Listening to my body’s needs and allowing for moments of rest when I need them is key to my well-being.
6. Creating Morning and Night Routines
Another key factor in adapting to night shifts is maintaining a routine when you wake up, regardless of the time. For me, brewing a pot of fresh coffee or engaging in a calming ritual helps signal to my body that it’s time to wake up. I try to incorporate some form of self-care into my morning and evening routine, such as stretching, to get my body moving before I start my day (or night).
After work, I have a winding-down routine that helps me relax and prepare for sleep. This includes avoiding intense physical activity right before bed and engaging in calming activities like reading or light stretching.
7. Adjusting My Appointment Schedule
I’ve found it helpful to schedule my medical appointments and personal tasks around my sleep schedule. I try to book my appointments for midday, regardless of whether I’m working, allowing me to sleep in the morning after my shift and before I need to wake up for the next one. This ensures that I’m getting adequate rest and that my body is prepared for the demands of the next shift.
8. Understanding the Neurochemical and Hormonal Effects of Night Shifts
Night shifts don’t just affect sleep—they also alter the neurochemical and hormonal pathways in our body. When we work at night, it disrupts the secretion of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, and increases the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. This is why night shift workers often feel more stressed and have a harder time adjusting to irregular hours.
Additionally, night shifts can impact neurotransmitters like serotonin, which regulates mood and sleep. Disruptions in serotonin levels can lead to feelings of irritability, anxiety, and depression. Over time, these disruptions can result in chronic health problems.
Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate these effects. Ensuring quality sleep hygiene, using stress-reducing supplements like Protandim, and staying active during your waking hours can all help keep your body’s neurochemical and hormonal levels in check.
Final Thoughts: Prioritizing Your Health
Adapting to a 12-hour night shift schedule is no easy task, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to stay healthy, alert, and balanced. The key lies in listening to your body and finding routines that work for you, from improving sleep hygiene to managing stress through medications, supplements and naps.
By taking these steps, I’ve noticed a significant change in how my body handles the stress of night shifts. If you’re a healthcare worker or first responder, I encourage you to take control of your health and make these small but effective changes. Your well-being is worth it.
A final note- DRINK MORE WATER! Drinking more water may seem simple, but it’s an essential part of staying healthy and energized during long, demanding shifts.
Mind Over Mayday 
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