While we preach a consistent schedule, we also acknowledge that life doesn’t always allow everyone to accommodate a consistent sleep schedule. For all our shift workers out there, here are our favourite ways to ensure quality sleep when you aren’t on a 9-5 schedule:
- Move. Ideally, you should be moving your body to some extent every day to ensure that your body is tired and ready to sleep whenever it’s time to rest your head. Whether that’s walking, heading to the gym, going to a workout class, or participating in a favourite physical activity.
- Fresh air. Similar to activity, the body craves fresh air. Getting out into nature can be challenging depending on where you live, the weather, and busy schedules. If you can find 30 minutes of your day to spend outside, your mind and body will thank you.
- Avoid naps. Again, naps can be difficult for people experiencing issues with sleep. Short bursts of sleep will negatively impact your circadian rhythm. While inconsistency isn’t ideal, long and restful bursts of sleep are preferred over frequent napping.
We are all human and recognize that perfect consistency isn’t realistic. Our work lives continue to evolve, and the typical 9-5 becomes less relevant to an increasing portion of our population. If you are one of those whose schedules can be unpredictable, we hope you can incorporate some of these easy tips into your everyday life.
