Night shifts are crucial and volatile when it comes to manned guarding, as most of the criminal activities usually occur around this time, think robbery, theft, burglary, and much more. Therefore, the need to remain vigilant at this time cannot be overemphasized. For guards who take night shifts, it is a struggle to remain alert and awake during the night. This is because the body is naturally programmed to be awake during the day and sleep during the night, so the body’s response during that time is to sleep. Nightshift is a difficult adjustment for anyone to overcome. Take in the fact that the night shift is usually filled with long periods of inactivity, staying awake becomes a struggle.
People have tried different tricks and tips to stay awake at night. While some have developed working techniques to staying awake, others have not. These are some relevant tips for staying awake and alert during the night shift.
- Take adequately sufficient naps during the day, that is before you begin your shift, at various intervals. Find a way to get in a few 20 minutes naps before the night shift.
- Munch on healthy snacks throughout the night, this will help keep you awake and also keep your energy level up. Ensure not to eat giant meals before the shift as this is more difficult to digest than lighter meals.
- Keep moving around during your downtime, do not just sit in a particular position, stretch, do a little exercise, as this will help will blood circulation and keep you awake.
- This next tip has to be considered and done cautiously. Caffeinated drinks will also help keep you awake. But take caffeinated drinks before your shift, not during the shift. This is important because if you take caffeinated drinks during the night shift, it will make it difficult for you to fall asleep when you get home, thereby disorganizing your sleep cycle.
It is important to note that there is no set technique or tricks to staying awake and alert, rather develop a pattern that is effective and that best works for you.