Im considering switching from a job from 10am-7pm to one that's only 3 days a week, 12 hr shifts from 7:00 pm-7am. How do I make a smooth transition on my sleeping and eating patterns?
Take some time in between to get your body adjusted to sleeping during the day. For a couple days try staying up as late as you can, then try sleeping during the day. Sometimes it helps to take meds like tylenol pm to assist with am sleep. Also reduce any noise and stimuli while you're trying to sleep. When staying up at night try not too consume caffeine after 4am, can be harder to fall asleep if you do. The eating patterns are a little harder to adjust because you flip/flop back and forth when you're off. When I work at night I eat something light when I wake up, I usually eat my dinner by midnight but no later than 2am. As soon as I get home I'll eat a light breakfast food then sleep. You're gonna snack so try to keep it healthy. During my days off, I tend to eat later in the day, but not as late as midnight unless I slept all day and plan to be up all night.
Source(s):
4 years working 12 hour night shifts.
I really don't think there is a smooth transition... It is going to be an adjusting situation for you... You are going to have to train your body to sleep during the day and be alert at night... Cover your windows with window treatment that darkens the room and ear plugs.... that is what I did...
Good luck
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