Night Shift Tips?

Hey Trucking Friends,

I hope everyone is doing well.

This week I will start my new trucking job and will go on the night shift for 30 days.

(The last time I worked the graveyard shift was when I was in security...that was brutal.)

What tips do you have that can help make the transition smoother?

That’s a tough one. Obviously trying to train your body to the sleep adjustment is a big part and also one that some just can’t do. I run a lot of night shift, mostly personal choice. I generally only need 4-6 hours of sleep a night but I’ll admit that I start early, get through whatever larger city to avoid the traffic, then stop for a quick nap. This works out very well for me but it’s not necessarily going to benefit someone else. Music and podcasts also help out to pass the time and allow a distraction so you’re not so focused on what time it is but whatever else, pay attention to your body. If it tells you that you need to take a break, by all means do it.

You can try to stimulate your brain in some way before you start your "day". Do a Wordle or something similar to get your brain Kickstarted.

Don't eat anything with simple carbs or sugars that will cause your insulin to spike. An insulin spike usually results in feeling tired after the initial energy surge wears off (in case you didn't know that already).

Keep the truck interior as dark as possible while driving. Interior lighting can make your eyes weary.

I recently discovered that listening to an emotional song, something that inevitably makes your eyes tear up every time you hear it, really helps wake me up if my eyes are feeling super heavy.

Really great topic because we all need to stay alert when driving and this issue needs to be rebooted on a regular basis. Our lives and the lives of others literally depends on staying alert.

My driving is roughly 50/50 day/night driving and I have to flip the schedule constantly. So staying alert while driving at night is a critical issue for me, as it is for many drivers.

I have developed some habits that help me stay alert. First, I always have ice within reach. Crunching on ice while driving serves a dual purpose. It is stimulating and it is hydrating. Second, I keep dill pickles within reach. Munching on a few dill pickles has a very stimulating effect, probably because of the vinegar.

Third, coffee or tea, but in moderation and as needed.

Forth, common sense. If I know that my alertness is compromised, I will get parked and take a power nap, as Robert already mentioned.

And I was really delighted to read what RD wrote about sad songs. This works for me and it is cool to know it works for other drivers. My go-to sad song is “All that Glitters is not Gold” by Dan Seals.

Night driving is part of a skill set. It may be difficult at first but gets easier and more routine as time goes on.

Just develop the mind set that if you get drowsy and fatigued, shut it down man. A late load is better than a load in the ditch.

I spent a lot of time on night shifts. My schedule was Monday night to Friday night with a 9 PM start. I'd sleep as late as possible on Sunday, stay up all night Sunday so I could sleep all day Monday. It's easier during the school year and the cooler months... It's hard in the summer with the kid being home and the dogs losing their minds everytime a car drives by.

To try and prevent that from happening, I wrap a towel around my head covering my eyes and ears and I turn on the air conditioner to cancel the noise.

I recently discovered that listening to an emotional song

Truck driver karaoke is a go to for me

Banks, “truck driver Karaoke “ Please elaborate. Is that just sing along or is it a real thing?

Banks, “truck driver Karaoke “ Please elaborate. Is that just sing along or is it a real thing?

For me it's just sing a long, but the playlist is very specific. It includes everything from Taylor Swift's "you belong with me" to biggies "gimme da loot".

Should I patent it? Lol

Banks, “truck driver Karaoke “ Please elaborate. Is that just sing along or is it a real thing?

For me it's just sing a long, but the playlist is very specific. It includes everything from Taylor Swift's "you belong with me" to biggies "gimme da loot".

Should I patent it? Lol

Banks, the truck driver Karaoke probably won’t work because of the need to read lyrics while driving. Can you come up with a way to do Karaoke without having to look at the lyrics while driving? If so, I want to be your first customer!

Great idea!

I mostly drive nights if I can, my natural sleep cycle fits to it. But like BK, I need to flip my schedule as needed.

I drink a lot of coffee but about half way through my shift I switch to decaf. Caffeine is a a diaretic, so I hydrate, take in a lot of water and eat frequently in small amounts. It's crucial not to eat large meals as they will make you lethargic. Also, if you are somewhat hyper, too much stimulants will cause you to become sleepy as well.

Also stopping every 2 hours or so to stretch and rest your eyes helps until you get used to the cycle.

I'd recommend staying away from energy drinks, the cause you to have a sugar crash like a child after sweets, are not good for your metabolism and they can upset ypur stomach with is a common occurrence for night driving.

Napping throughout the day helps if you can't get full sleep. Sleep debt will occur and its something I'd recommend reading up on. Planning for the switch is something to consider as part of trip planning.

This is my go to going through large cities with not so smart traffic around me. If I don't belt out some tunes at the top of my lungs, I wind up holding my breath, and a purple NaeNae is a dangerous NaeNae!

As for night driving, I absolutely will not have the 2-6am segment of my drive shift at the end of my drive day. I'll split SB if I have to, because that's the witching hour that ALWAYS messes with me, unless I start my drive day at 1am.

Hydration is key for me as well. Water. Coke Zero. Bang energy drinks. Waterloo Blueberry Lemonade sparkling water. The sprint from parking to the bathroom is enough of a wakeup to keep me going all night.

Ultimately, listen to your body, understand WHEN you are most likely going to have an issue, and plan around it.

Banks, “truck driver Karaoke “ Please elaborate. Is that just sing along or is it a real thing?

For me it's just sing a long, but the playlist is very specific. It includes everything from Taylor Swift's "you belong with me" to biggies "gimme da loot".

Should I patent it? Lol