Promoting Alertness at Work
It is not surprising that 10-20% of night shift workers report falling asleep on the job. Try these steps to stay alert on the job:
● Take a scheduled nap during your shift, if possible.
● Take short breaks throughout the shift.
● Work and talk with co-workers to help you stay alert.
● Exercise during breaks — walk, shoot hoops in the parking lot, or climb stairs.
● Don’t leave the most tedious or boring tasks to the end of your shift when you may be fatigued. Night shift workers hit their lowest period around 4 a.m.
● Exchange ideas with your colleagues on ways to cope with the problems of shift work. Set up a support group at work so that you can support and learn from each other.
The Ride Home
Driving home after work can be risky for the shift worker, particularly if you work the night shift. If you are tired when your shift is over, take a short nap before driving home, ask someone for a ride, or take a taxi or public transportation.
For more information about this topic and other sleep issues and tips, see your employer about the sleep works Toolkit and visit the National Sleep Foundation’s Web site at www.sleepfoundation.org.
Napping
It is important to keep a regular sleep schedule. However, if you can’t get enough sleep or feel drowsy, short naps of 15-20 minutes can help you maintain alertness and performance for several hours. The evening or night worker can take a nap before work to be refreshed.
