Tips for sleeping during the day

If you ever have problems nodding off after the night shift, you’re in good company. The body clock finds it difficult to adjust to sleeping during daylight and those working shifts get far less hours of shut eye a week than their day-working colleagues. 

Here’s our top 5 tips to promote better sleep during the day: 

1. Cut back on caffeine 

Caffeine can stay in your system anywhere from four to six hours, and you want it to be long gone by the time you’re ready to sleep. If you need your coffee, soda or energy drink to make it through the night, try to consume it at the beginning of your shift and not towards the end.   

2. Don’t delay going to bed 

As soon are your shift is completed, head home and go directly to bed. Don’t be tempted to run any errands or do any housework. 

3. Limit exposure to light 

Light has an alerting effect, and it influences your internal clock. Begin to limit your light exposure at the end of your shift to let your body unwind. When you leave work during the day, wear sunglasses on your way home. You should also limit your exposure to blue light from digital devices such as your phone, tablet, or television. 

4. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature 

Use earplugs to block out daytime noise and blackout blinds or curtains to prevent daylight from entering the room. Electric fans can be useful to keep air circulating and provide neutral background noise or if you prefer, earplugs will block out unwanted noise. 

5. Keep people informed 

Don’t be shy about letting others know your sleep schedule. Uninterrupted sleep is important, and you don’t want visitors dropping by at all hours of the day. Think about getting a sign for your bedroom door and sticking a note near the doorbell.