Any hints for making the transition to working 3rd shift?

[Connonym]

I start the new job on Monday but I'll be working first shift for training M-Th and then start my regular 3rd shift hours on Friday. I requested third shift because A) I can make significantly more money and B) I'll be working from home and it's really hard to get people to understand that when you work at home you're actually working so I figure I'll be more productive when the rest of the world is asleep. C) I'll be free to continue with my plans to go back to college part time without my job interfering with school.

When left to do it's own thing I've always tended to prefer to stay up all night and sleep during the day -- I always switched to this pattern during school vacations and before I had kids. It's been a while though and I'm not the spring chicken I used to be. Does anyone have any tips for how to make the transition to a third shift world?

[zabet]

1. Try to get a nap during

the afternoon before going to work the 1st night. It may
help to sleep as much as possible that day.
I used to work a 28 day 12 hr shift rotation that went like
this...
Fri - day
Sat - day
Sun - day
Mon - day
Tues Wed Thur - off
Fri - nite
Sat - nite
Sun - nite
Mon - off
Tues - day
Wed - day
Thur - day
Fri Sat Sun - off
Mon - nite
Tue - nite
Wed - nite
Thur - nite
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur - off

:crazy:

[axollot]

2. ...

Don't drink coffee when you get up. Wait till about 10pm then only have about 3 cups(more than that and your tummy will rumble). Try to keep to a regular eating and sleeping schedual. That's about it now im off to go work midnights!

[GCP]

3. I can never sleep much in the daytime

But I found that getting in a couple of hours in the evening, I'd be able to get through the night better.

[Deja Q]

4. No-Doz during the night and ambien the second you get homew\

[DarkTirade]

5. The important part is when you wake up, not when you go to sleep.

Because if you wake up at the same time every day, your body will be forced to go to sleep at the right time.

So the first few nights you might have to stay up late or wake up early, but as long as you make sure you wake up at the right time you'll adjust.

[Wapsie B]

6. Get plenty of exercise, layoff the coffee and caffeinated pop

during the night. Watch what you eat at night. Some people can have GI problems if they're up all night. Aluminum foil over the bedroom windows. Turn all phone ringers off. Tell your family & friends that you're a night-shifter and to respect your need for sleep during the day. You wouldn't believe how many people cannot grasp that simple concept. Many day workers do not understand that a person who works graveyard needs to sleep during the day. Healthcare can be just as clueless about it as any other industry too btw.