Any night workers out there ?

I was listening to 5 live at work last and heard a report that basically said that less than 5 hrs sleep a day can dramatically increase your chances of heart attack / stroke due to there being higher levels of adrenaline activated when you wake up if you have not had the required 7 hrs sleep. Similarly it also said that if you sleep longer than 7 hrs the same think occurs, so I get to sleep most days about 7 am ish and usually wake 11.30-12.00am ish. Last week I did 4 x 12 hrs night shifts and survived on only about 19 hrs kip, I feel fine though and i was just wondering if other night workers have the same problem ?

Stewie, I used to work 12hr night shifts (well, only 2 at a time in a 4-on-4-off shift pattern - 2 x 12hr days + 2 x 12hr nights). Used to work until 6am, by time I got home, it was str8 to bed, so about 6:30 - 7am, and didn't get up until about 2pm though, so I usually got plenty enough sleep

I work twelve and a half hour night shifts but alternate with day shifts as well. When I'm on nights, I usually get home about 0830 and in bed by 0900. I normally stay in bed till about 1630, so hopefully I shan't die of a heart attack.

Originally Posted by melody

I work twelve and a half hour night shifts but alternate with day shifts as well. When I'm on nights, I usually get home about 0830 and in bed by 0900. I normally stay in bed till about 1630, so hopefully I shan't die of a heart attack.

Lets hope not Mel

[Bluepete]

I do two sets of 10 hour nights every five weeks. One lot of three nights and a set of four.
Usually, I'm in bed by 8.30 after a 7.00am finish, and am pleased if I'm still asleep at 2.00pm.
If it's the weekend, familly usually wake me earlier.
Guess that's why the life expectancy of retired Cops is so short!
Best carry on getting fit again. (Lost 7 kg so far!)

Yup same here, although by the time ive travelled the 25 miles home i'm straight to bed and usually awake around 12:30-1pm feeling like someone has injected me with redbull. Guess thats the adrenaline thing

When I was working nights I also survived with about 4/5 hours sleep a day.
I was a night owl anyway was kinda use to it, however now i'm looking after baba i'm getting about 5/6 hours a night.
To help me sleep I use to drink booze just before bed, about 3/4 pints a morning and that helped me sleep.

[mister c]

Work days, but still only manage 4 - 5 hours sleep a night always have done since I was about 13. I'm the wrong side of 40 and still here

Yeah I work days, nights what ever I'm told too, just got home from a 12 hour will be about 2 ish depnds on wheter my idiot of neighbour is making alot noise again!

Done shifts for 31 years nights either one week in three or one week in four, very rarely sleep more than 6 hours at a stretch. Nights usualy get to bed by 11 and am up by 16.30.