Changing sleep patterns

[EnduranceNinja]

My job is never the same time wise. Every other week I work one night late 10 pm. Weekends I work 5am some reason it has been 5am 3 days a week. Then I get a middle of the day shift twice a week or once depending if I work late the other week. Confused? me too. What is killing me is the 5am shifts. I am getting better waking up at 6am, but getting up at 4am is hard. Even worst is when I get home I am so tired and in a zombie like daze. I want to get so much done after work but I can't wake up. And naps are evil. Well for me. If I nap it makes me feel worst and/or I sleep too long 3+hrs sometimes. Any ideas or advice? Oh yeah and quitting my job is not an option I want to try.

Thanks

[skinnyninja]

I used to work third shift 3 nights a week, and then flip back to "normal" sleep schedule on the off days.

I tried a lot of different techniques to help smooth out the transitions. Nothing really helped much.

I eventually heard about a drug called Provigil (Modafinil) that is used specifically for people who have to "flip-flop" their hours like this. I went to a doctor and he would not prescribe it to me, he instead suggested that I get a different job and/or get on a consistent schedule. Not what I wanted to hear, but I eventually followed his advice. I no longer work swing shifts, and my sleeping pattern has "normalized."

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, maybe you can check out the Provigil stuff. But I've been hearing bad things about that drug lately, so maybe not, too.

[verbors]

People with shift works have the worst sleep. It's even worse for you because you have an inconsistent schedule.

You are seriesly damaging your health, I would strongly advise you to quit your job. It's really not worth it.

If you really don't want to, talk to your boss and try to work out a compromise. Have a steady schedule, like work from 10 to 5 each night instead of jumping all over the place.

[Jonathan Mead]

I agree with verbors, try to negotiate with your manager a different schedule. At least something that's closer, more consistent. Tell him/her that the drastic fluxuation is negatively impacting your work. That always gets their attention. =)