Eat Well
Larger companies and hospitals dependent on shift workers will often operate a limited part of in-house cafeterias during the overnight hours. Beyond that, vending machines and greasy diners are the only other options. Bring a meal from home whenever possible. Munching on carrots or other crunchy vegetables can also help keep you alert. Some experts suggest eating smaller portions throughout the day instead of three large meals to avoid a shift worker's tendency to get heartburn and other stomach problems. But realize that there will be the temptation to join your family for a heavy dinner when you're first waking up.
Make Time for Your Family
While shift work can allow you to be home during the day, it can leave little time to spend with family who may be at work or school. Set up a schedule that will allow you to spend some time with your loved-ones. Whether it's always reading your daughter a bedtime story before heading off to work or spending Sunday shopping with your wife, shift work doesn't mean the end of a cohesive family.
Weekends can be especially hard, as you will want to take advantage of the time to spend some daylight hours with friends or family. While experts stress the importance of maintaining your sleep schedule, it's simply impossible for most to keep it up through the weekend. Just be sure that family and friends understand your situation so that they are respectful of the time you do have to spend with them and the time you choose to spend asleep.
Without the stress of rush hour traffic or the monotony of a nine-to-five job, shift work can be appealing to many people. And by adding a strong routine to your overnight or shifting work schedule, you can stay healthy, too.
