Preparing Home For Working The Night Shift: What You Should Know

Posted on: 28 January 2015

When you finally get that new job that you've been waiting for, you are excited and exhilarated. However, when it is your first job on the overnight shift, you may not know what to expect. After all, staying up all night and sleeping during the day is not a part of your normal routine. While adjusting to your new schedule and sleep pattern can and will be challenging at first, there are steps that you can take to ensure that the process goes as smoothly and easily as possible. You will need to prepare your home for your new sleep schedule before your first day at work. Get to know how to do so to ease your transition.

Get New Blinds And/Or Drapes

The biggest problem you will encounter with your new night shift job is trying to sleep when the sun is shining. Your body is naturally programmed to be more energetic and awake during daylight hours. So, if you are trying to sleep and you can see and/or feel the sunlight, you will not be able to sleep as well as you need.

In order to remedy this issue, you will need to change your blinds and/or your drapes. Look for varieties that are designated as "blackout" options. These blinds and drapes are designed specifically to keep all UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun from penetrating through them. In other words, when these blinds and drapes are closed, your bedroom will look and feel like it is night rather than day, helping you to sleep better.

Invest In A Sound Machine

If you do not live alone or are in an apartment building, noise will also be an issue when you are trying to sleep during the day. While you cannot keep the people around you from going about their days, you can try to drown out the noise around you. 

A sound machine is a good option to accomplish this goal. They are inexpensive and effective at providing you with white noise that will help to block out the sounds of people walking around, talking, and going about their daily lives as you try to sleep during the day.

Once you buy the machine, test it out and find a sound setting that is most soothing to you and give it a try the next time you sleep.  Any time you need to sleep during the day, use the machine to prevent sounds from keeping you from falling asleep or from waking you from your needed slumber. 

If you follow these helpful guidelines for preparing your home for daytime slumber, you will help make your transition to the night shift that much easier. So, be sure to make these adjustments as soon as possible and you will be sleeping happily and soundly before you know it. 

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