Days Off

[joelx123]

I will be entering the academy soon and had a question regarding working nights? On your days off, do you usually stay on the same schedule of going to sleep earlier in the day or do you switch over to sleeping at nights. I would think that changing your sleeping pattern for your days off would be a nightmare. Thanks!

[Athas]

I'm not a cop yet, but I have worked "Continental Shift", (alternating Day and night cycles), when I used to unload trucks for minimum wage. On my days off I would try to keep a regular sleep pattern, but that is almost impossible when you want to have a social life. Basically, you sleep when you can, just get your 8 hours. What really hurts is eating patterns, if you've worked 3 days in the grave-yard shift, you get 1 day off and then work 3 days during days, you have trouble sleeping due to being hungry - throws off the whole cecadian clock and your bio-rythums. After a while though you just get use to it - yet I never know what day it is :-(

[Slaughter PD]

Depends on your home situation. Is there a family? If so, you're going to want to change to sleeping nights on your days off so your kids will get to see you. If not, try to stay on the same schedule. You'll be more rested, and its healthier.

[Stump]

I have only been on the midnight shift for about 6 months now, and am still trying to get used to it. I have tried to stay awake all night on my days off, but I just get bored (who else is up and in the mood to hang out at 0400?). Most of the time, I just stay up all day when I get out of work at 0800, and sleep at night on my days off. When it comes to my Sunday, I just don't sleep as long at night, and nap for a few hours before my shift. Of course, I am still missing sleep about 2 days out of every week, so I don't think my schedule is a great idea!