If you're someone who works night shifts, you know how challenging it can be to maintain a healthy sleep schedule and keep up with self-care. In this blog post, we'll be discussing 5 practical self-care tips that can help you improve your quality of life while working those long 12-hour night shifts. By implementing these strategies, you can take control of your physical and mental well-being, manage your sleep cycle, and improve your overall health. So, whether you're a nurse, a security guard, or any other professional working the night shift, this post is for you!

Like many nurses, I believe in creating good work karma...that is, we have a concept of what goes around comes around. I find it best to try to leave a trail of good whenever possible, especially for the nurse that’s going to take over for you when you leave. Here are 10 things to do to help the oncoming day shift nurse.

 Here in the United States, we’re experiencing the “Dog Days of Summer”. As the heat and humidity persist, many of us have no tolerance for poly-blend scrubs and running our butts off for half the day. Sadly, quitting a job from May to October just isn’t realistic for most of us. That in mind, let’s talk about some more ways all you fellow sweaty nurses can make it through these final hot weeks of the year. 

Mike writes in and asks about heavily scented chapstick that Adrianne has mentioned somewhere down the line. She fell down and Amazon rabbit hole and found a number of anti-stink options for nurses in a variety of settings. Check out these items guaranteed to make things smell better, or will at least make you laugh.

It took me a long time to design my perfect get-ready-routine, but I’ve learned through trial and error what makes me feel good and what doesn’t. I encourage and of you newbies, or any healthcare worker to pull any steps I’ve laid out that may smooth out those pre-work hours. As your shifts roll on, pay attention to what things have the most lasting positive effect on your work and dump anything that doesn’t.