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Can Working In Night Shifts Cause Insomnia?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Question: Hello Doctor,

I'm doing night shifts from last 25 days and it looks like I am becoming insomniac. Its becoming difficult to get sleep and though if I get some sleep, it last for 3-4 hrs only. Can you please help! Is night shift the main factor?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes most probably night shift

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

HEre are my tips during night shift to avoid sleep disturbance.

1. You should treat night as your regular after noon and post work as the night.
Practise this even on weekends when you are off.
2. Water, water and water. Keep hydrating yourself al through out the work. Reduce the intake gradually towards the fag end of your work.
3. Choose to take coffee only once or twice that too before you start the shift and in between.
4. After shift, drive home, brush go for an early morning walk for 30 minutes breakfast and hit the bed by 7 AM.
5. Your sleeping room should mimic a night. Cover with dark color curtains, close doors. Cool the room as if it cooler during night.
6. Get up by 3PM. Have lunch and set out for your hobby.
7. Rest for half an hour before you go back to work late evening.
8. Never have junk food, eat real vegetable, fruit, rice, dal, curry etc.
Avoid junk all the time they disturb sleep.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2086 Questions

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Can Working In Night Shifts Cause Insomnia?

Brief Answer: Yes most probably night shift Detailed Answer: Hi, HEre are my tips during night shift to avoid sleep disturbance. 1. You should treat night as your regular after noon and post work as the night. Practise this even on weekends when you are off. 2. Water, water and water. Keep hydrating yourself al through out the work. Reduce the intake gradually towards the fag end of your work. 3. Choose to take coffee only once or twice that too before you start the shift and in between. 4. After shift, drive home, brush go for an early morning walk for 30 minutes breakfast and hit the bed by 7 AM. 5. Your sleeping room should mimic a night. Cover with dark color curtains, close doors. Cool the room as if it cooler during night. 6. Get up by 3PM. Have lunch and set out for your hobby. 7. Rest for half an hour before you go back to work late evening. 8. Never have junk food, eat real vegetable, fruit, rice, dal, curry etc. Avoid junk all the time they disturb sleep.