12+ Hour Shifts Tips anf Tricks

working 12pm-4am today. my schedule is 4pm to 4am but some days gotta put in a few extra hours. having a hard time staying awake most nights and ive been at it for 10 months. any tips and tricks to stay awake?? get better sleep??Beds?? Teas?? or just chit chat. Hope everyones enjoying their day.

 

You don't get used to it. I work rotating 12s.

 

I loved working 12-16 hour days. Only trick I know, is find something you're doing and learn to enjoy it. My best days at work, ever, were over 12 hours.

 

being in the military we work 12+ hours on the regular. I enjoy my work so Its not an issue especially when you have good co workers to make it fun. A lot of guys drink energy drinks but I don't think they really help. When I feel sluggish i usually eat a snack and I wake back up.

 

Take naps. I read an article that said if you take a good 10-15 minute nap, you will recharged for the next 2-3 hours. Once you start napping over the 15 minutes, grogginess will result and you may feel even more tired. Take advantage of the breaks during your shifts. I do not recommend energy drinks, instead eat more whole foods like fruits, trail mix, etc. Walk around, chit chat with the fellow workers. Lastly, hydrate!

 

We have ops that keep us up for 12+ hours. I always nap right before if I can. Having snacks and water always keeps me awake. Of course having a buddy to bullshit with makes things a little easier too.

 

I usually just sleep half the shift and I'm good to go

 

Well, theres our engine problems solved.

 

Wut

 

Pretty much. Except we never oil any of the doors and they all slam, so we know when someone comes in and it wakes us up. The rooms are pretty sound insulated, so an open door is like going from a slight hum to a loud roar lol

 

Yeah some sets of push ups and pull ups keep me going when I get groggy

 

For real though, yea I usually just get up and go outside for a little walk when I start getting tired, or I'll have a hot chocolate or a coffee if I'm suuuuuper tired. I try to stay away from caffeine in general unless I REEAAALLLY need it, and then it works great.

 

5 Hour Energy is like a miracle drug. If your working 12+ hours I would get 2 or 3. I sometimes add a caffeinated sugar free drink for good measure.

 

Working 12 & 16 all week every week.

 

5 hour energy is junk. I've used it a couple times and I'm always tired like an hour later

 

I try not to take any energy drink. Don't seem to work for me.

 

I haven't had an "energy drink" in years. They make me to jittery and the let down is crap when it wears off.

Basically just stay awake, go for a little walk or do a couple jumping Jacks to get your blood moving and you'll be fine. I find combing TW for new stuff helps

 

If I get tired at work I just take a nap. If I can't, bitching usually keeps me awake.