We know that most nurses and midwives will work night shifts at some stage in their careers. Here’s our best tips for helping you get to sleep during the day

1. Avoid light before going to bed

Light tells your body that it’s time to wake up, so it’s best to avoid it as much as possible right before bed. Also try to avoid sunlight on your way out of work, tint your car windows and wear dark glasses on your drive home.

2. Darken your bedroom

Having blockout blinds or curtains can really help, as well as having dark walls. Alternatively, grab a pair of eye masks!

3. Block out noise

Try and block out noise as much as you can. Grab a pair of earplugs or ear muffs. Alternatively, try something like white noise, soft music or a fan to block out outside noises that might wake you up.

4. Keep people informed

Everyone hates being woken up by someone else. Try stopping this by letting everyone know that you’re off to bed. Lock your doors, put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign. Make sure you also turn your mobile off or set it to silent.

5. Slow down on the coffee!

Well, maybe just towards the end of your shift. Caffeine might be great at keeping you up at work, but it’ll also keep you up when trying to sleep. Try having one at the start of your shift, maybe one in the middle, and steer clear towards the end.

6. Avoid Alcohol before bed

Alcohol might make you feel sleepy, but it can also keep you awake. Try replacing your nightcap with a chamomile tea.

7. Have a sleep schedule – and stick to it

Good habits lead to good sleep.

Get sleeping people! We all know how much nurses and midwives love it!