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These days, getting the graveyard shift is almost always associated with being a call center agent. The thing is, it’s not easy keeping our eyes open during the night hours. So how does anyone survive the graveyard shift without turning into a zombie? Read on!
Working on nightshifts can disrupt the body’s biological clock – the circadian rhythm – especially our sleeping pattern. Getting some shut-eye in the daylight might be tricky, and in some cases, it’s also common to still feel “tired” even after having a full 8 hours of sleep during the day. The way to quality sleep is to stick to a sleeping schedule religiously and treating it as “prime time”. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t go out of your home if your phone’s battery is just 5% right? (No power banks, guys). Treat your body even better than you do your phone. Get some sleep!
According to one Harvard study, people who worked at night have lower levels of leptin, a hormone that leaves people feeling full after a meal. So if you’re eating more being on a nightshift, it might just be your hormones getting the best of you. Learn to regulate your diet by making sure to eat the right amount of healthy food at scheduled times. Also, it’s easier to head over to the nearest fast food in the building but by planning and preparing out healthy meals prior to your shift, you actually save your body more trouble in the long run.
As a call centre agent, you’re talking almost nonstop for hours on end. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated at all times. But make sure to not go high on caffeine especially as your shift comes to a close or you’ll get trouble sleeping again later (read number 1 again in case you missed it)
Whether it’s the gym or using the stairs, make sure to chuck exercise into your schedule. You can even work out some exercise routine in the middle of your shifts to cut the monotony of sitting the entire time. And no, typing on a keyboard isn’t sufficient exercise.
Even supercomputers need a break every once in a while and so do you! Take healthy power naps during your breaks. According to sleep expert and Take a Nap! Change your Life author Sara C. Mednick, PhD, our bodies can get incredible benefits from a simple 15 to 20 minutes of napping. “You reset [your body] system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance,” she reports. “That’s what most people really need to stave off sleepiness and get an energy boost.”
Even your social health needs to be taken cared of so make sure to spend time off work and socialize with others during breaks or after your shift. It would be best to stay clear from work things to give your headspace to breath and explore other topics of interest. Learn to unwind and to genuinely enjoy the company of others. Soak in the sensation of having a real conversation and connection with another person.
No matter how good you are at following these steps, ultimately, every person is different but these are the basic stuff to keep in mind. When it boils down to it, remember that no matter how important work is, you need to take care of yourself too.
Have you any more tips and tricks to add to this list? Reach out to us and we’ll give you a shoutout!
