What are night shift people supposed to do with sleep?

[@ricky8917]

It’s so depressing to wake up after a full sleep and it’s dark outside

[@TheMeanGirlz]

I luv et 🧛🏾‍♂️ 🧛🏾‍♂️🧛🏾‍♂️

[@greywar1224]

I feel the same way. It’s also depressing that basically everyone you know is on a different schedule. It’s like being in isolation.

[@erosion2205]

And then realizes there's nothing left to do and because the quality of sleep during the day is significantly lower than that of night sleep, so you're still tired. Then you end up sleeping 15 hours on your days off

[@cristhianflores674]

​@@greywar1224Yes true! Not a lot to do at night. Almost everything is closed at night and you can't go out to places. You have to do it during your resting period instead of sleeping.

[@maddyx3711]

Go to sleep as soon as your shift ends around 6am. Then you will still see sunlight rather than going to sleep at 12pm

[@db6655]

Worked as a night shift nurse for years. My son was an adult so I didn't have to be up during the day for much. Black-out curtains worked great for keeping my room dark. I used black-out panels as well. The light that was coming through the top of the window was bothersome at first, but I put small microfiber blankets at the top of the windows. It made my room pitch black. I also used a box fan for white noise. I can't say I slept perfectly all the time, but doing these things helped a lot.

[@jackjack4412]

Did you ever let your son hit that?

[@ryantogo8359]

​@@jackjack4412 you've got some wires crossed in your brain pal

[@angi334]

I absolutely agree with the importance of regular sleep. Unfortunately when raising children and doctors appointments, school and so-on sleeping during the day EVERYDAY just isn't possible. I constantly switch my sleep days & nights.

[@ddfelder2]

Bingo

[@maddyx3711]

I feel for you... i hope you find a job which doesn't have night shifts in your situation. I can manage to sleep immediately after my shift ends at 6-7am. This allows me to see 6+ hrs of sunlight afterwards

[@altyrrell3088]

A tip for blocking light from windows - I use poster boards. In the summer, white poster boards also help block heat, without reflecting light at the neighbors.

[@thenexus7343]

I litterally use a Diry Bedsheet. To block out Light. Also because I'm too cheap to get meassurments for Blinds and whatnot. But frankly. It works better.

[@vivmadmaxx66]

Have black out curtains now

[@kathyshank9861]

So it’s 11 pm on one of my nights off (I work 2-9 am), and I have been wide awake since 10 pm and now watching this short video on my iPhone. So there’s that. 😁 Dr. Seheult, thank you for the guidance! I am going to continue to focus on getting my 7-9 hours of restorative sleep and maintaining a consistent schedule.

[@But_WhatIf]

Man I worked 9 months of nightshift, going to bed at 8-10am in the morning, waking up at 16-18pm everyday, in the winter you go to sleep when then sun starts coming up and wake up when it's either already pitch black outside or just getting there. It messes with you after a while, less energy, if you liked doing sport say goodbye to that you won't have much energy for that, social life is harder to manage, grocery shipping is also harder when you just wake up and know the supermarket is just open for another 2 hours. Luckily I found another better paying job that is home office and where I can manage my own time. You can try nightshift if you want, but I don't recommend it, at least not in the way I had it.

[@airellaintan8681]

I worked night shifts for 3 months and now I suffer from sleep disorders and anxiety

[@georgemartyn5268]

what's the new job that you have that allows you to work from home?

[@ty1279]

@@airellaintan8681does it go away??

[@nekocal]

I'm a firefighter paramedic in an incredibly busy area. I'll definitely keep my routine of incredibly terrible sleep and trying to nap whenever I can, followed by a few days off on a row to just start feeling normal followed by weeks of getting shot out of a cannon 25 times per day. I'll line my windows with energy drink cans and empty bags of coffee if you think it will help. It's only been for the last 25 years so I should be getting a nice dirt nap soon.

[@fireluvr]

Your a badass

[@jackjack4412]

Code blue on your day off by 55

[@janinelargent9220]

The problem for nurses is the 12 hour shift. When you work three nights it's hard to find a regular sleep schedule. Example first shift of the week you essentially take a nap and then just push through. Next morning you're exhausted go home and pass out. The second shift is easy and you go home, have a little snack, go to bed and sleep for four hours and wake up. Surprise this is your day off but now your up till 2 am and sleep fitfully after that. Guess what? The next day is your third shift and you drag in half dead and keep telling yourself it's one more shift and drag yourself through it, nap again and then try to shift back to a regular schedule for the next three days. And if that isn't bad enough most of us rotate from nights to days

[@rickbaier1042]

Tell me about it. Left after 27 years of rotating 12 hour shift work days nights weekends holidays call outs overtime. . Wife said that's enough what most people don't realize your whole family works shift work with you...

[@roxyiconoclast]

This is a crazy way to run medical care. Seems like it hurts staff and patients alike.

[@PetsNPatients]

Having lived in Finland 🇫🇮 I learned how important black shades and solid drapes were, along with ear plugs!!! The land of the midnight sun and long hours of sunlight during thier summer months, showed me the birds were always awake too and singing during those hours as well. Many Finns have white noise machines, never expected to hear the birdies at night.

[@markshulman4322]

Saw you on Nightly News commenting on mud slides. stay safe!

[@ursulasmith3225]

Me too! I hope you and yours are all ok

[@Medcram]

Yep. It was really close!

[@laurieromero4867]

Thank you for mentioning the importance of circadian health. As a nurse I always struggled with working even an occasional overnight shift. I never knew when to eat because I always felt hungry. For every one overnight worked it’s would take two days for my digestive system and my brain to get back on track!

[@pennysnow6162]

Hello from Florida: I canmot remember the last time I enjoyed 7 hours sleep much less 8 hours. My max is never more then 5.5 and is often only 4 to 4.5 hours. Prior to watching your video, I never took ambient light into consideration. My list: tower fan, digital clock, tv insignia, smoke detector, A/C thermostat & street lights (almost forgot new/full moon). Cuttingto the chase, I purchased a sleep mask. I am currenting on my 4th night of between 6-6.5 hours sleep. It is glorious. BTW, I discovered your site at the onset of SARS-CoV-2 and appreciate all you do for us. Pat fm Central Florida : )

[@Medcram]

Wow. That’s an extra 2 hours of sleep. Impressive!

[@jimpowers9553]

Everyone should listen to this brilliant doctor. He knows the deal.

[@prettyyoungthingpyt5015]

Love the country scene. Very relaxing close to nature.

[@TheVGinia]

We are different and our bodies adaptive features is incredibly outstanding. I am a night shifter and my bedroom window (no curtains) has a very beautiful relaxing leafy green tree scenery that has never failed me with sleep and I love to wakeup to this view.

[@edrick106]

“Don’t expose your eyes to light after night o’clock” Me watching this video at 10 💀

[@haxozr0]

me watching this video at 2:21 AM 💀

[@misterguy9002]

Absolutely. Keep to the same routine. For instance, I get home at 6am, I shower, take my sleep medication, cover my eyes, and plug my ears. Go to bed! And set your alarm clock on your phone but do not dabble with it.

[@Casper]

sleep health is SO important

[@rickbaier1042]

What about call outs these companies do not care about us . Congress needs to pass a law that forces companies to provide full health benefits after a 20 year mandatory retirement for documented shift work. Something similar like the Flight controllers F.A.A

[@MultiAnne36]

Notice NOTHING was done for Nurses for the pandemic but we carried the bulk of all the extra work associated with what the hotshot medical authorities dished out to us. Tonight I am still wearing a mask and charting on Covid hysteria 3 years later!

[@MyNameIsJeff-W]

Me: One bedsheet, one towel and two hoodies blocks out the light from my window

[@jackfrank303]

I was a fire dispatcher for 25 years. We worked rotating shifts. Two 12 hour day shifts, then two 12 hour night shifts, then four days off. No, we didn't get any sleep on the night shifts, too busy. Now I'm retired. In bed at 10 PM every night and up at 5 AM every day.

[@theothewatcher3528]

I worked healthcare IT overnights for 28 years. Waking up at 22:00 for so long, daylight would actually make me sleepy.

[@CricketsBay]

Yes! I thought for ages it was weird I get sleepy any time the sun is up. But nope, my body sees "daytime" and automatically reverts to "bedtime" even when I've had "a good night's sleep" and just woke up.

[@jennh2096]

As a night shifter, I get so tired of being told that we need to stay on the same schedule even on our off days. I can't go to the bank or the grocery store at 2am. Many of us have families and kids that don't keep our hours. This may be what's best, but it's entirely unrealistic and unhelpful, and I've never known anyone on night shift who was able to do this

[@TheShadowPerson.]

I'm just gonna blow my brains out how the hell am I supposed to get a better job waking up at 8 pm everyday 😂😂 its like a infinite loop of doom and catching up on sleep

I also feel the same as I tried Todo the same thing but nothing help.

[@cheyennetownsend6754]

Black out curtains, eye mask , cold room , hot shower before, read before and I like to take melatonin with ashwanga. May work for some but it works for me .

[@JosephFarrier-c8q]

Get 8 hours you'll be fine its that simple lifes not about perfect living its about making what u got as good as possible just be healthy

[@MariamZawjatNomayri]

Thank you for sharing

[@amyblue7267]

HA! My mom used to always have the bedroom windows covered with aluminum foil, and everyone thought she was crazy. She never wanted her sleep interrupted by morning sunlight until it was time to get up. Guess she was on to something.

[@MostPowerfulPMofIndia]

Best advice

[@MissJane777]

Woops! I've almost always been a night shift worker (12+ hour shifts)... Then I became a single mom... I'd cram all.my hours in on rhe weekends while my daughter stays at the grandparents then when I'm off work for 4-5 days during the week with her, I flip my sleep schedule to try and make it relatively back to normal like my daughter's so I can still be involved as much as I can. I've always been a night owl and I prefer nights, but boy does my body pay for it. Then again, I've always had sleep issues since I was little AND I'm an extremely light sleeper to boot! Ugh.

[@freddierich7262]

I just got those beds that you can put curtains on and got black out covers for it

[@danielleboulay1447]

Hi Dr Roger I had a eye surgery for cataract Is this counteract absorption of vit d ? My surgeon could not answered that question I love you I love everything you do Thanks a million 👍👍👍👍

[@MariamZawjatNomayri]

Thanks for sharing

[@taurincoffelt4584]

no bc my sleep schedule is so messed up 2:30am isn’t late to me anymore

[@Bill0102]

Your piece is heartwarming; similar to a book that was heartwarming and insightful. "Better Sleep Better Life" by Author Name

[@7clippers1]

What’s tricky is doing nights for a week then switching to ams the next. I never seem to adjust back into mornings well enough.

[@nakoda1610]

im somehow lucky, and can sleep from like 7-8am till 3-4pm my plan for weekends is doing it ab 2-3 hrs earlier so i can have a bit more social interactions

[@zanixzy1340]

I'm a college student that sleeps at night during the week and works night shift on the weekends. But on the weekends i only manage to sleep 4 hours per day. Any advice in getting better sleep during the weekends?

[@knotahoookercrochet]

How can I shift my schedule from night to day? For example I sleep around 10am and wake up around 6-8pm. I would like to wake up around 8am and sleep at 10-midnight.

[@LulaMae21]

Flipping back and forth is incredibly bad for your body, but people I know who do it usually nap after getting off work in the morning, then go to bed that night and get up the next morning.

[@Esho2023]

I still feel sad about waking up and not seeing sunlight :( I do have blackout curtains and ac to mimic the night but waking up in the morning with the sun rising is so diff than waking up at night, just really sad tbh. I live in a tropical country and I love the morning breeze and the morning sun and I miss everything about the mornings so badly T_T

[@hankisdank1]

What The fuck am I supposed to do with my life from 10pm to 7am on my days off?

[@victorianmist8531]

EXACTLY

[@unclephd6190]

shop

[@jigsaw666puppet]

work a side hustle, night hike, and be like batman

[@llamatribe8529]

Play games and yes be Batman

[@vasyls1767]

Gym

[@mikerolla5601]

Do you have any advice for a rotating shift worker? I work two different shifts each week sometimes three with overtime.

[@AT-yj8gl]

Get out of it. That's actually the worst for your health. That's what I did too until I realized how bad it is for you

[@Medcram]

Your right. Better to be all in.

[@jacih6396]

@@Medcram I I swear I just saw you on the news near a mudslide. Hope you are safe

[@mikerolla5601]

@@AT-yj8gl I want to get out but the pay is great. We are trying to get a schedule change to a 12 hr schedule which would give us many more days off.

[@ellybanelly3656]

Agree with the first point, but I've learned the hard way that I have a natural circadian rhythm that is tuned to very late hours. I literally will not be able to sleep with a blacked out room, I HAVE to have either a sleep mask letting a bit of light in, or just throwing a shirt over my face. Otherwise I will get a rush of energy and just be awake. Makes sense why I always slept SO good during summer break in school haha. Sleep the hot days away and play at night.

[@Euphoriv]

Worse part of 3rd shift is coming home thinking you’re going to get some peace and quiet but everybody in your house is just starting there day. So music playing kids running around etc😂

[@caseyljones24]

So what if someone has to work 2 days and 2 nights in a 4 on and 4 off schedule? am I screwed?

[@jetsetter8541]

Hey Doc start using Polysorbate 80 in shampoo to emulsify the DHT or you will get P. Williams syndrome , Nizoral shampoo and Minoxidil also works what they say.

[@myfinancechannel2432]

Okay so as long I sleep in complete darkness day time sleep is okay? I was worried about not being able to sleep at night. Will my vital organs do their rest, cleansing and regeneration as well?

[@roxyiconoclast]

What is the reason for blocking light during the day? I have circadian rhythm disorder and can only fall asleep after sunrise - and I have very refreshing sleep. Do I really incur the same risks faced by people forced into such a schedule by shift work?

[@exploringmyoptions103]

What about night shift workers thar work 4 on 4 off nd on our 4 off we have to stay up through the day cus we have kids what routine can I have then?

[@amberhorstmeier7018]

What about us 2 job people , I work 8:30am to 5pm M-F and then 11pm -7am Friday & Saturday nights . Any suggestions other than sleeping almost the entire day and night on Sunday to get caught up on the sleep missed on Friday ?

[@hunterscheib6882]

Gosh that sounds miserable!!! I'm sorry you have/get to do that!

[@Jim-Wade]

Blocking light is easy enough, the real challenge for sleeping during the day, in the city at least, is noise. There are more options for dealing with that than there were when I worked nights 40 years ago. Maybe you can address that issue.

[@pitr_de_vice_klamps]

Yes I think it's better for me to sleep at day all these critters scurrying about in my mind, these enchantresses in these mirrors that are more real than you want them to be. I will at least try it

[@worldcitizeng6507]

Soon as the sunlight hits, I'm awake, but I need more sleep 😴

[@dannyb213]

I am a mom to two kids I get home from work at 4am then wake up to leave my 10yo to school at 8am and then I stay during the day with my 4yo I guess I am going to die very early.

[@bradh6185]

I drive a truck at night. I sleep at night on weekends. I have to have a couple of days a week to be awake with the rest of the world and get some natural vitamin D.

[@ResortDog]

BUT they shift the hours weekly or 3 times a week around the clock!

[@marj8885]

I'm so glad you addressed this issue. Night shift for 22 years. The very first thing I did when I started nights that a installed room darkening blinds and added thick, room darkening drapes. My room is pitch black. However, summer days are hard because it's hot in the LA area and difficult to keep the room cool. I usually work 2 days in a row and 2 or 3 off (ICU nurse), like you suggested I try to get back to the same routine. Long time some one told me that night shift workers life expectancy goes down with 10 years, I truly hope it's not going to happen. I always aim 6-7 hours of day sleep when I work.

[@shawnevans26]

Yeah I’m not doing that! My weekends are day shift only! Which means I probably should quit the night job since I hate it so much

[@mishaanton5436]

Thanks

[@ereHeuqibmazoM]

I’m homeless working varying shifts hoping to get into an apartment. Imagine sleeping outside loud as heck below freezing during day then walking to work in dark for 12hr shift then back lol I gotta lol or I’ll break

[@tcepilot]

I can’t get days. And I can’t sleep days on my time off. Aircraft Maintenance sucks. 5 years in and no relief in sight

[@SoulSoundMuisc]

"Keep your schedule--" Day Normies: "GET OUT OF BED THIS INSTANT YOU FILTHY LAYABOUT!!"

[@FroggyghostiE]

Keep bright lights off before 9:00 Me at 8:59 pm Run fast like ur mother fast like your daughter

[@urchocolatecake3025]

Been doing graveyard since April about 9 months and I feel so depressed and isolated it’s insane

[@Medcram]

I hope you get some help quickly

[@urchocolatecake3025]

@@Medcram I’m going to start working days in January I’m so excited.. I need this change I feel so stuck atm

[@teddyboo7843]

After nearly 40 years of night shifts I’m just about done with it . If you can get a couple of hours sleep just before work that’s great. I call it the ‘cream of sleeps’. If your yawning after just one hour into your shift then the torture awaits you. Btn 1 and 4am I call the ‘Death Hours’.

[@flymoolahman2763]

Was it really that easy? Just a quick search and I got the tools in the tool bag? Wow

[@Monteytrey]

What if my schedule are a mix of night shift and regular working hours?

[@theunicorngang2750]

It’s easy to make room dark but what about outside noises? Any solution for that? In India it’s so noisy during the day time! 😢

[@ThatBoyBrylon]

So my night scedule is staying up all night?

[@sandrapires199]

No time to live doing night shift, ive done 11-7 nights all i do is worry when to sleep, I've done 7 to 3 days, wake up eat, shower, hug wife and kids, go to work everyone's alive, get home eat healthy, go gym walk or park with kids, see my kids karate, have dinner together, read kids a book, talk with wife get 8 hours sleep. Hmmmm, which seeems better. Good advice though, some of us dont have a choice and yeah im on nights 😢

[@lillyinthefield2787]

What if your in NYC. where you have to work 2 jobs 80hrs 5 days a week what should we do any help ???? 9am to 5pm. Then 11pm to 7am. ?????

[@easyreader66]

What if you work all different shifts all week

[@elian1352]

You got my situation here sitting my 12h night shift 22:00-10:00 with 5h sleep and no food :/

[@csnide6702]

Biggest problem for 3rd shift workers is the utter LACK OF UNDERSTANDING that everyone else gives you.... I have worked over 400 (5 days a week sun-Thur) overnight shifts since Nov. 2022 & my employer schedules a meeting for 9am on a wednesday. When I inquire how that will work - they tell me you get the Tuesday shift off and "can make it up" by using PTO or working that friday.... WTF...? That CANNOT BE LEGAL.

[@rinyotsu2.0]

Maybe im just wirrd because I can sleep a whole day with the window open and im really inconsistent. Sometime I sleep in the mornings, other times I sleep in the afternoon. I dont sleeo until I'm proper tired

[@amosprophete6390]

Foil on the Windows 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@danl9134]

What if your a fire medic on 48s and your randomly up and down all day and all night..

[@mojojeinxs9960]

Going through menopause only sleep 4 hours at a time. The night shift is perfect for me right now.

[@justsayin3600]

Just be careful with using foil on windows. I've heard on double paint windows the foil on the inside of the room can crack the glass when it gets hot outside.

[@jacobr4166]

How about a shift worker that rotates 12 hour days and nights every week? Im working 3 on/off so both day and night shift every week

[@Medcram]

That’s not good. Good luck in the playoffs.

[@MultiAnne36]

Nope. Need to do a lot of things during the day. Doctor appointments, some business cant be done at night like making appointments, recieving services, going to bank, etc. On nights off there is little that can be done from 11 to 7. Other people are sleeping and nothing is open. Its too bad nightshift cant be paid enough to work 4 days instead of 5.

[@keep_walking_on_grass]

That man is right. the next important thing is: earplugs out of silicon. use a bit vaseline on them . pull them out carefully without breaking them apart. it could end in a hospital when break them apart too deep inside your ear. I use a ballpoint pen without a refiller inside. or a thin soft paper tissue. YW.

[@killerkyle9723]

I rotate between 1st 2nd and 3rd every 2 weeks ive been adapted to surviving on 4 hours of sleep. Now im getting more into bodybuilding so im trying to get 8 hours but its near impossible.

[@pitr_de_vice_klamps]

And when she whispers "do this for me, do this for me" is it helpful to say "wait hold on why can't you do it?"

[@nickrowell2651]

Why black out windows if it does not effect my sleep quality?

[@Medcram]

It can

[@ForkSuperhero]

On paper, getting sleep consistently during the day is easy, but if I want to maintain a healthy social life and keep up with general appointments… that seems…. Unlikely. It’s very depressing to wake up and be awake when everyone else is asleep in my days off, and I get 4 days off each week :/

[@delilahdelaney]

I think it is impossible to keep the same schedule when you have a family. I can't stay up all night on my days off. My days off includes chores that can't be done at night. And I want to see my family.

[@k9hannibal]

EXACTLY! Yeah sure doc, Go ahead and keep a night schedule your whole entire life and never see your friends or live a normal life or get things done during the day. God forbid I go on vacation with my husband and he’s up during the day and I’m up at night. That’s healthy for a relationship. Whatever. Obviously this doc has never worked Night Shift long term. Sure that’s great for a year of your life but not long term, 10+ years!

[@LulaMae21]

​@@k9hannibal I've been doing it for 6 years 🤷‍♀️ I do go to bed earlier on days off so I have the afternoon free to do stuff

[@samlancaster3130]

I'm a nightshift welder man, :( bright lights is what i do

[@HiTechBoy96]

Unfortunately that doesn't work for me I can't sleep I stay up late

[@4316Rambo]

Can't do the same thing everyday because life isn't the same everyday and during the summer the kids' schedule isnt the same everyday... unfortunately

[@flo_togo9553]

My problem is that i cant sleep at a regular time after i had my 5 Nightshifts in a row. Sometimes i am so tired in the evening at 8 o clock, then i sleep for 2 or 3 hours and then i am wide awake like i did a afternoon nap

[@wednesdayschild3627]

I wear moisture goggles at night. It keeps the light out. I been sleeping better.

[@derekhann2200]

Been working night shifts for 5 months am having problems sleeping now what can i do guys?

[@Medcram]

Get on a set schedule

[@justinjakimiak1998]

Yeah there's just no practical way to just sleep all day every day for me

[@romariosmith422]

Well I work 3rd n 1st shift soooo I guess I'm screwed lol

[@timberrr1126]

Take magnesium and wear black out shades

[@Imrunningawayonmonday]

Idk i think winding up the musix box is more important but...

[@Laz3rCat95]

Or, if you can, sleep in a room that doesn't have any windows

[@Jeanuwine]

Can we wear shades throughout our night shift 😎..

[@zunar_j5_933]

You forgot Vitamin D!

[@fishsquishguy1833]

Good point! I’m in my mid 50s and have been on nights for over 25 yrs. Was feeling tired all the time last year and was drinking about 2 pots of coffee/day. Pots Went to the docs and he said my D level was less than a 16 year old pregnant girls would be (whatever the Hell that means?) started taking D and after a couple weeks felt much better. I disagree with this videos advice though. On my off days I go back to a sleep at night schedule to recover. Slip right back into it naturally. I’ve tried the other way even when I was much younger and healthier and it didn’t work for me at all.

[@MyKeturah]

Thanks for the tips!! ❤❤❤

[@frankgeez6584]

Lowki i have done it for a year and a half And im not gonna lie a good day is 6 hours of sleep sometimes i take the weekend off and knock out the entire day But honestly this seems to be killing me a little by little doc

[@KossolaxtheForesworn]

"what are night sift people supposed to do?" give their shift to me, a person who naturally would sleep during the day but is forced to stay up and feel endlessly tired while the boss gives night shifts to day people who sleep during the night.

[@theman5893]

Me watching this at 1 am