11 tips for working night shifts.
Good day beautiful people
I hope that this post meets you and your family members well? Today I want to share some useful tips which have practically helped me get through SEVERAL nights shifts (I do a minimum of 4 nights per month on average). Now we have to accept the fact that many of us will spend the majority of our day/lives at work, which is why it’s important for us to ensure that we act in a manner which glorifies God. As the bible states that in all we do, we should seek to bring honour to The Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ~ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17 ~ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
In reality we will meet challenging characters, rude individuals, inconsiderate managers, but we should not allow the actions or speech of others, cause us to react in an ungodly fashion causing us to destroy our testimony at work. People may treat you unjustly at work and boss you around, but they have no control over the words which come out of your mouth. They cannot control how you respond to their poor attitude, they’re not that powerful enough. Don’t give them an excuse to badmouth you because you repaid evil with evil. Trust the Lord, and when pressed and squeezed, pray that you’ll produce a heavenly fragrance for all those around you to perceive.
Romans 12:17-21 ~ “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
The tips
1. Prepare beforehand (stay organised): I like to ensure that my bag is packed with all that I need by midday, so that I’m not stressing before I’ve left the house. In my backpack I like to keep appropriate toiletries, hygiene products if needed, a bottle of water etc. Good organisation can help in greatly reducing stress levels, which will set you of to a good start. Also try to leave early so that you don’t get stuck in traffic.
2. Eat well & stay hydrated: Your body needs the right nutrients to work well. It is not natural for the body to stay awake through the night, which is why it’s extremely important to give it the right fuel so that you don’t make yourself unwell. Try to stay hydrated throughout the night shift by drinking water, this can help prevent headaches. Try to eat fruits and vegetables, as a balanced diet is key to obtaining good health. Personally I don’t like to eat during the night, just so that I don’t disrupt my normally eating pattern. Towards the end of the night shift between 6-7am, I may have some fruits and a herbal tea.
3. Invest in black out curtains: This for me is very important pre and post night shift, as during the times you’re sleeping it’s light outside, and it’s a lot easier to sleep in a darker room. My curtains have played a massive role in helping me get adequate sleep by blocking out sunlight.
4. Invest in earplugs: If your house is a little noisy, and you have people working from home, this can help reduce the amount of noise you hear, helping provide a quieter (not silent) environment. If you’re not a light sleeper I guess this will be of no use to you lol.
5. Listen to your body: This is something which I’m currently working on. If you feel exhausted and tired, get some extra 💤’s in, it’s your body’s way of saying it needs more rest. Sometimes I end up eating so much prior to a night shift because I’m worried that I’ll lack energy throughout the night. Which leaves me feeling worse (bloated and suffering from indigestion). Don’t force yourself to overeat, eat when your body is hungry, and always stay hydrated by drinking enough water.
6. Try & get enough sleep: Even if it means just laying in bed doing nothing, or having a 20-30 minute power nap prior to the night shift, this is better than nothing. Don’t overexert yourself to the point of burnout. Sleep is an essential process needed in helping the body heal and recover. Also if you have a rest room where naps are permitted don’t miss the opportunity to get some shut eye.
7. Have a warm shower: I like to have a nice warm shower pre and post night shift. Warmth helps your muscles relax, and can aid in reducing stress levels, and improving ones mood. I also like to use some coconut oil, Vaseline or cocoa butter on my skin, with a splash of sweet smelling body spray, which makes me feel great. This is just another way of starting your night shift off on a positive note.
8. Wear suitable clothing: This is extremely important, especially if you work in a job which requires a lot of manual handling. Learn to dress for the occasion so that you’re comfortable throughout the night. I have days where I’ve had holes in my socks and I’ve had to constantly readjust my socks throughout the day so that I could walk comfortably, this is annoying. If it’s cold in your working environment, carry a hoodie or cardigan with you so that you can work effectively, whilst caring for yourself.
9. Communicate your concerns: If you notice that you’re getting burnout to the point your physical or mental health is negatively affected, speak to management to see if adjustments can be made, so that you don’t put yourself, your colleagues, or clients/patients at risk. Also ask your loved ones for support, or communicate to them what times you’ll be resting so that you’re not being disturbed on a frequent basis.
10. Meditate on God’s word: This is the number one thing which keeps me going in life. I like to mentally prepare for a night shift, and I find that reflecting on God’s words is one of the best ways to prepare for a night of work. I’m reminded of the importance of treating others with Christ like love, and not allowing anger or frustration to control me. That is not to say that I don’t get annoyed… I do, but I just have to remember that in all circumstances I must respond in a Christ like manner. I like to read my Bible during my break and make notes, so I always take my notebook along with me.
Joshua 1:8 ~ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
11. Pray always: I always like to pray before my night shift and on my way to work in the car. This is because you don’t know what situation you’re going to walk into, but God has seen the end from the beginning and I know that His grace will help me get through. I also like to pray during my break for God to give me self control and for His peace to overflow within my department.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ~ “Never stop praying.”
Well I hope you could learn a thing or two from the 11 tips above. Keep shining for Christ.
Matthew 5:13-16 ~ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Love from
Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart 💜
