Surviving Graves

[TheExpertish]

Okay, so it's been about 8 years since I last did graves and this past week was my first. I forgot how much it can hurt physically. I am also surprised at how much more water it seems I need to drink. I also had a head cold last week so that wasn't helping. I was single last time so the wife isn't appreciating this much. I know I will need to suck up a bit more to make her happy, but really wondering what the best pattern to get in for sleep is? Should I still be staying up at night on my days off, or sleep in on my Saturday morning and keep the regular hours till it's time again? What other suggestions can you offer up? Seemed soooo much easier at 25 than 33.

[mixicus]

If the family has 'normal' hours and you like seeing them...re-set each week. Go to sleep when you get home on your first day off, sleep for 4 or 5 hours and get up around lunch then power through the day with the blessing of the local Starbucks. You'll be ready for bed by 8 or 9pm that first night but at least you got a chance to be with the family during the day. That will re-set you to 'normal' hours so you can enjoy family and friends for the next 3 or 4 days before going back to work.

On the first day back to work try for a nap of some sort in the mid afternoon and should should make it through.

Other tips and obs:
1) On work nights, back off the caffeine 4 or 5 hours before end of shift.
2) The better I eat, the better I feel especially on night shift. Pack a healthy 'lunch' or at least snacks. Fast food at 0-dark-30 will wear on you.
3) Working out regularly, even a little bit, seems to help
4) Black out your sleeping room best you can. Black out shades, cardboard in the windows, turn off the electronics, whatever...make it dark
5) Cooler the better in your bedroom. Shouldn't be to hard in winter but the AC bill can be painful for a two story house.
6) If you have a child in the house, consider some sort of white noise. The gentle hum of a fan (also helps with #5). The 'spa', 'new age' or 'meditation' music channel on Direct TV may work. Mellow instrumental music you don't is best, that way your mind doesn't get wrapped around lyrics you know.

oh yeah, put the sun screen away and get use to vampire jokes.

[Falconis]

I usually work 10pm to 8 am. Sunday I wake up around a normal time to get some stuff done with the wife. I go take a nap around 3 PM till around 8 or 830 and get ready for work. Large lunch around noon helps with this.

I get home, I stay up for as long as I can but not past noon. I wake up around 7 or 8 and start the day again.

My first day off it depends. You can take Mixcus' advice which is good or tailor it to your own needs. Just be ready to sleep in the next day as your body will adjust.

All the above is good advice, you just have to see what works. Also if the AC bill is an issue, you may want to buy a swamp cooler.

[floridaone2]

I have some really messed up shifts. They are never the same twice. Do some reading on Circadian rhythms, basically your body clock. There are lots of other things that go along with the really good list above. One of the best things I have found is Melatonin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin (how do you guys put links in here?)
Its natural and can be found at most drug stores and does not leave you with any sort of hangover like most sleep aids. I have found the Sublinguals work the best. This is the ones I use and a good price

http://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-Melatonin-Orange-Tablets/dp/B000GFSV14

Remember to keep an eye on your food intake. People tend to eat larger quantities and more junk food when they are tired. Plus your Metabolism slows way down making it a double wammy and a short ride to being the fat cop, and no one wants to see that.

Good luck

[epilepticninja]

I used to work two days, two swings, two mids (graves), then three days off. Try getting your body used to that. After awhile, I didn't know if I was coming or going.

[TheExpertish]

I used to work two days, two swings, two mids (graves), then three days off. Try getting your body used to that. After awhile, I didn't know if I was coming or going.

Holy crap. What a horrible schedule. Who's idea was that?

[Uhhlexxxis]

Graves are the only shift worth while.

[Watchur6]

I get off at 6am, workout, sleep and wake up between 3:30pm-4:30pm so that I can spend some quality time with the gf and family. I find that this works well since most of them get off work in the evening.
Like others have said food intake is very important, watch what you eat and also make sure you eat. I had to start drinking meal replacement shakes because I was only eating once in a 24 hour period. My stomach had a hard time adjusting to the change.
Pay close attention to your health, mental and physical.
Stay safe and welcome back to the grave.

[non sequitur]

Dog Watch

I hated Dog Watch! I did the workout thing, the blackout curtains thing, the white noise thing... nothing worked for me.

Working 2200 to 0800 sucked... I lasted for only three years on that shift! I was fortunate enough to work with a good crew and a great Sgt. but the hours just shredded me.

The time between 0300 and 0600 hours had to be the longest stretch of hours in my career, no matter how pro-active I tried to be... I did learn how to play hide & seek pretty well though

Good luck and stay safe!

[TheExpertish]

Graves are the only shift worth while.

It's where the action is. Gotta love the entertainment. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

[epilepticninja]

Holy crap. What a horrible schedule. Who's idea was that?

Upper management!

[Fspeed]

Not a LEO, but I worked graveyards and sometimes days and nights in the same week.

I would recommend you stick with a schedule. If you want to see your family in the evenings, come home and get to bed, wake up in the evenings and see the family. If you get used to it you can get to sleep quickly and wake up in the early evening. Your body and mind will train itself and you will get used to it. Sticking to a schedule will make it easier. Constant change just makes it worse.

[erik_26]

[veeklog]

When I was in uniform I only worked mids. I liked the people and the brass wasn't around. Ti learned that all the action was at the beginning of the shift and at the end. I would usually get home at 8:00 am, go straight to sleep, wake up about 1:00 pm, go to the beach, then go for a run and workout, come home and take a two or thee hour nap. I would eat before I went to work and eat something light during my shift. Believe me, I got to do more than most people since I got up during the day. The key for me was the power nap.

[TrailerparkTrash]

If the family has 'normal' hours and you like seeing them...re-set each week. Go to sleep when you get home on your first day off, sleep for 4 or 5 hours and get up around lunch then power through the day with the blessing of the local Starbucks. You'll be ready for bed by 8 or 9pm that first night but at least you got a chance to be with the family during the day. That will re-set you to 'normal' hours so you can enjoy family and friends for the next 3 or 4 days before going back to work.

On the first day back to work try for a nap of some sort in the mid afternoon and should should make it through.

Other tips and obs:
1) On work nights, back off the caffeine 4 or 5 hours before end of shift.
2) The better I eat, the better I feel especially on night shift. Pack a healthy 'lunch' or at least snacks. Fast food at 0-dark-30 will wear on you.
3) Working out regularly, even a little bit, seems to help
4) Black out your sleeping room best you can. Black out shades, cardboard in the windows, turn off the electronics, whatever...make it dark
5) Cooler the better in your bedroom. Shouldn't be to hard in winter but the AC bill can be painful for a two story house.
6) If you have a child in the house, consider some sort of white noise. The gentle hum of a fan (also helps with #5). The 'spa', 'new age' or 'meditation' music channel on Direct TV may work. Mellow instrumental music you don't is best, that way your mind doesn't get wrapped around lyrics you know.

oh yeah, put the sun screen away and get use to vampire jokes.

Excellent tips mixicups!!!!

...Staying up...Seemed soooo much easier at 25 than 33.

Oh boy, I know, starting Oct 5th, that's my "monday" and I'm back on graveyard. Try doing it in your early 40's.... It really sucks!!!! I used to LOVE that shift pushing a black and white in my early 20's. I don't push a black and white anymore, but I have another assignment that requires the graveyard shift. It HURRRRRTS!!!!!!!!!!!