#nightshiftproblems To SLEEP or to WORKOUT

flatbellybella
flatbellybella Posts: 303 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I work full-time as a nurse/12 hour shifts. My schedule is 2 weeks nights and 2 weeks days. The problem I have is what to do when it's my last night shift...

For instance I finish at 7 am... but I have plans later on in the day. Do I get a decent sleep or do I cut back on a few hours of sleep so I can fit in a workout?
I've been on this schedule for 3 years and I still can't figure out this flip back to days.

If you're in my shoes do you:
Just stay up and tough it out?
Cut back on sleep and fit in a workout?
OR just sleep and feel guilty? :grumble:

(it's a little bit different because if I didn't have plans that day, I would just workout in the evening)
Basically my question is: Sleep or working out? even if the workout may be half-a$$ed because you're tired

Replies

  • BeatriceBane
    BeatriceBane Posts: 25
    I usually go for a short intense work out followed by a decent shower and sleep when I can't be bothered with a work out. I feel I've accomplished something and 99% percent of the time - I feel better for the work out and then sleep better too.

    When I know I definitely won't make the work out, I adjust my meals for the day. Sometimes we just need the sleep!

    I'm not sure what your workouts are like but for non-gym days when I just don't want to do anything - I bought some exercise DVDS - pilates etc. Its a tad more motivation when I know I don't have to drive somewhere and deal with people :P
  • soultrouble
    soultrouble Posts: 11 Member
    I work 7 on 7 off in the ER and my last 4 nights are always 14+ hours.
    Some mornings I can get in a short run after work...but other mornings I'm literally dragging myself home and into bed.
    Honestly...I would side with sleep because a shift on less than staller sleep sucks.
  • DamieAnne
    DamieAnne Posts: 103 Member
    I generally work one set of nights in a month but in the past four weeks, I've done two sets.

    On the day when you get off nights, I tend to have a nap for 2 hours and stay up for the rest, however, I'm usually far too knackered to do any exercise on that day so I usually don't do too much exercise wise.

    On normal nights I do get up and do exercise before work, but I sleep badly so I tend to get up after 4 hours, exercise etc and end up having another nap before going to work!
  • bfinup
    bfinup Posts: 47
    Usually on my last set of nights (12 hr shifts) i'll sleep from 7-noon, get a workout in, and then that way i'm on a somewhat normal schedule as well for my 3 days off.

    It really depends on what time your plans are for that day. If you're going to get less than 4 hours sleep if you workout, i'd say skip it.

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