Night Shift
Posted by ConsciousAwareness69@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 24 comments
I’ll be starting an OTR position soon that’s night shift like 5pm-7pm start time. I pretty anxious about it.
Any tips from the night drivers here?
JulianneElise@reddit
Start working on changing your sleep schedule before you start.
Spare-Good-5372@reddit
This is a good one, because that changeover takes a couple months.
PresentationLive943@reddit
Takes me 2 days
Spare-Good-5372@reddit
Well yeah, after you're used to it. I can switch to nights now immediately. I'm taking about the first time.
JulianneElise@reddit
Definitely a process 💯😊
lonestar2075@reddit
Get a red light
tranten@reddit
Caffeine is a drug, like Advil or Tylenol. Use it when you need to, and DON'T use it when you don't. When I'm off for a long stretch (month or so) I like to drink a cup of coffee every day, plus a coke or two. When I'm on tour I cut all that shit out, and only use caffeine when I need it.
Like other people have said, night shift is hard on the body so you have to be more aware of what you put into it. Drink lots of water and try to eat healthy, exercise helps too.
indytrucks@reddit
When I drove nights I’d turn the dash lights all the way down and the tablet screen down or off. The less light in the cab the better.
One nice thing about nights is way less traffic usually.
Someone_said_it@reddit
My go to for staying awake during night shift is singing to music. It forces your brain to wake up.
This is not a PSA, please get rest if you're tired. but this trick has worked for me in a tight spot.
truckingham@reddit
1am-4am is prime white girl pop time for me 😂
forgotmyreddit1991@reddit
You’ll never have to worry about parking stopping around 5-7am. This is how I run. The most important thing is to get sleep. I can’t stress that enough. If you stop at 7am start winding down and get to sleeping by 9am. Wake up at 4pm.
chico-dust@reddit
Night shift is the best. Spend 30 days changing your sleep schedule to match your new position before starting and always get a full days rest before driving and it's a cake walk. No traffic, open roads.
Spare-Good-5372@reddit
Hell yes it is, night shift is best shift.
Beautiful-Slice166@reddit
Good books and good vibes , get a good pillow and sleep plenty. And if you start to see shit in the shadows pull into a truck stop and walk around for a minute
Spare-Good-5372@reddit
I once saw smiley faces in the tail lights of the truck in front of me. T/A was at the next exit, and I pulled my happy ass off the road and went to sleep.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
It'll take you a while to get used to the shift. Buy some smelling salts. If you're feeling a little drowzy that shit will absolutely knock you out of it.
Spare-Good-5372@reddit
Drink water. Nothing keeps you awake like having to pee. The first few months of it are the worst, but after that you'll be a night owl for the rest of your life. The worst part of the night is 2:00—3:00 am; once you get past that and the sun starts coming up, you're golden. Take breaks whenever you need it, even stopping and getting out of the truck to walk around. I know it will slow you down, but they'd rather you get there than not. After a few months, your body will adjust and you'll be up at night like it's second nature.
Mobile-Ostrich7614@reddit
Gym before u drive, even if u can’t sleep hit the gym that shit wakes u up… and cigarettes
LosCowboy@reddit
For me audio books is better than listening to music. Since it's something I've never heard before, seems to help keep me focused. Also had a person that worked 25+ years on a 3rd shift job give me this about sleeping, pick a bed time and stick to it no matter the situation going on that day. So either right after you get home or couple hours later but always get to bed the same time, helps get you into a sleeping routine.
Maxxatrillion117@reddit
Nicotine and caffeine come-on.
mike-2129@reddit
Well im sure you're getting some solid advice. And thats nice and all. But im gonna be straight up. You can take all the naps coffee red bulls fresh air as you want. You either got it or you dont. Seeing the sun go down then dark all night then that big yellow MF pops back its not for everyone. Thats why you see these idiots swerving or not maintaining speed. Give it a week. Try all these remedies. Maybe you got it. Maybe you'll be good with a nap. But if you know you don't. Do not risk you life.
Comfortable-Menu2099@reddit
Cut out sugar and starchy carbs as much as possible. Night shift is hell on the body. You will really need to pay attention to yourself.
I was on a 6pm to 6am schedule for 10 years . I thought I was doing pretty good until I changed to day shift. Turns out it's not normal being exhausted all the time lol.
A few tricks chewing is a great way to stay awake jerky is great. Changed up your entertainment music/ audiobooks/ podcasts/ talking shit with your buddies. Caffeine works really good if you take care and eat healthy if you mix in sugar and carbs it will give you small bumps in energy then you crash.
For sleep take magnesium, get ear plugs, silent your phone and, have a complete black out wherever you sleep. No electrics an hour before sleeping. For me melatonin is horrible mag is better. Good luck hope you get to days asap.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
If you have adhd, energy drinks will put you to sleep. Nicotine pouches without the tobacco help. Sour/gummy candies and hot cheetos are arguably better substitutes for caffeine and nicotine addiction. A small can of soda can helo a little but too.
Make sure you get plenty of sleep during the day is the #1 thing of course.
I have low light red leds at night on in my truck that don't affect my driving, they trick my brain into not getting tired.
Having the windows cracked and the fresh air and sounds help keep my brain active too.
I have a handful of ad-less music playlists that range from 3 to 20+ hours to help keep me stimulated.
Sometimes I just listen to the sound of the wind, the road and the engine or I get stuck in my head thinking about hypothetical scenarios.
homucifer666@reddit
Always get plenty of rest before your shift, take a nap if you feel like you need it, and don't rely on energy drinks to get you through the night; caffiene crashes suck when you're driving in the dark.