Complaints against officers

[B_Rob 17]

Getting up at 3am every weekday morning and starting my shifts at 6am, end up feeling exhausted not even into half my day, have tried energy boosting drinks, mars bars and none of these seem to help. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Stevie6544 368]

Drink water regularly, snack rather than big meals, if you are indoors get out into the fresh air and natural light as often as possible.

The drinks and choccy bars only give a short-lasting burst - stick to fruit, it gives a longer more gradual flow.

On the way home, windows open, air con on full and stereo going the max, Metallica or similar. Sing your bloody head off with it. If you're that knackered you need to get home as soon as you can...and as the saying goes, 'don't get caught'.

[B_Rob 17]

Drink water regularly, snack rather than big meals, if you are indoors get out into the fresh air and natural light as often as possible.

The drinks and choccy bars only give a short-lasting burst - stick to fruit, it gives a longer more gradual flow.

On the way home, windows open, air con on full and stereo going the max, Metallica or similar. Sing your bloody head off with it. If you're that knackered you need to get home as soon as you can...and as the saying goes, 'don't get caught'.

Lol thanks Stevie6544

[Garion 0]

Getting up at 3am every weekday morning and starting my shifts at 6am, end up feeling exhausted not even into half my day, have tried energy boosting drinks, mars bars and none of these seem to help. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

When do you finish?

You need to try and shift your body clock, adjust what time you go to bed, and if there is anything you can do between getting up and starting shift before you go to bed, to give you longer in bed in the morning, as 3hrs between getting up and starting is a long time by any measure.

Swap the energy drinks and mars bars for fruit and veg, protein bars, nutrigrain bars etc, what you need is foods that will release energy to you over a period of time, processed sugars etc will give you an initial boost of energy, but then your body adjusts and will make you feel worse. Also how healthily are you eating? (If your shattered when you get home, you probably aren't eating well, which will make you feel even more tired) Eating well means quality not quantity.

If you struggle to have decent meals, consider sacrificing some time every fortnight, cook up loads of decent quality food that can be put into meal sized portions and frozen, that way you still get the ready meal when you're shattered, but its much better quality and will be much better for you.

Edited October 27, 2010 by Photojonic

[Stevie6544 368]

No probs Robert, I worked nights for 14 years so I know how it can hit you.

One tip - when you reach the stage where you are answering the dream voices in your dozing state, it's time to pull over......

[B_Rob 17]

When do you finish?

You need to try and shift your body clock, adjust what time you go to bed, and if there is anything you can do between getting up and starting shift before you go to bed, to give you longer in bed in the morning, as 3hrs between getting up and starting is a long time by any measure.

Swap the energy drinks and mars bars for fruit and veg, protein bars, nutrigrain bars etc, what you need is foods that will release energy to you over a period of time, processed sugars etc will give you an initial boost of energy, but then your body adjusts and will make you feel worse. Also how healthily are you eating? (If your shattered when you get home, you probably aren't eating well, which will make you feel even more tired) Eating well means quality not quantity.

If you struggle to have decent meals, consider sacrificing some time every fortnight, cook up loads of decent quality food that can be put into meal sized portions and frozen, that way you still get the ready meal when you're shattered, but its much better quality and will be much better for you.

Vey informitive Photojonic, thanks!! I start at 6am and finish always around 5-6pm, sometimes later. Always get to bed around 8-8:30pm. My flatmate always cooks meals for when I get home including the 5 a day, also take supplements in the morning, so I think my diet is well balanced and is not a problem. Will try those other options though, such as protein bars etc and see if that helps to improve things. It's always said that breakfast is the main important start of the day, sometimes I can't even stomache a breakfast first thing in the morning so end up rushing out with just having coffee, maybe this too has a part to play in it all.

[Merlin820 32]

Do you think you may be a little anaemic [sp]?

I agree that you maybe need to ditch the energy bars etc. and replace it with healthier food to keep your body going. I've just started taking an A-Z vitamin formula, with iron, as I knew I wasn't eating properly, especially when doing duties as you can't always eat when you're supposed to and then it's just a manky sandwich.

Edited to say I just read your other post saying you do take a supplement, so ignore me.

Edited October 28, 2010 by Merlin820

[Waddle + 624]

Had a similar problem recently, feeling sluggish and tired pretty much all of the time. After a sleep analysis I was diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnoea, if you are really struggling then a visit to your doctor may be necessary. If nothing else it may rule this out at least.

In my opinion it may just be your sleep pattern or diet out of line with your lifestyle.

Edited October 28, 2010 by Waddle