{"id":1843,"date":"2018-05-16T01:42:55","date_gmt":"2018-05-16T01:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=1843"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:42:50","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:42:50","slug":"how-to-survive-working-long-shifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/how-to-survive-working-long-shifts\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Essential Tips for Making it Through Long Shifts at Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

Working long hours can make any job feel draining. Even if you love what you do, long shifts can drive a wedge between you and any positive feelings you have about your job. 40-hour work weeks used to be normal for a full-time job. Now, many people are working anywhere from 50-80 hours a week! Thankfully, there are things you can do to help you get through long hours on the job.<\/p>\n

Working long hours means you’re ‘paying your dues.’ You may not be in that position forever, but it’s likely not going to change overnight. For other people, long shifts are a part of the career. Either way, it can start to get exhausting after a while.<\/p>\n

Many jobs that make their employees work long hours have to do with manual labor or customer service. If you’re on your feet a lot, which can make it even harder to make it through a shift.<\/p>\n

It’s important to know some tips for working long hours on your feet. But, even if you’re sitting at a desk or doing something with a computer 50+ hours a week, it can feel just as draining. If you don’t want to change careers, then learning how to survive long shifts can make your job easier.<\/p>\n

How to Get Through a Long Shift at Work<\/h3>\n

This guide will offer 20 tips you can use to get through long shifts at work. Whether you like your job but hate the hours, or you find yourself staring at the clock each day, it’s not always easy to get through the working day.<\/p>\n

Before you use these tips, think about your job itself. For some people, the long hours are just a part of the career path. For others, they’re working for a paycheck. If your job isn’t the right fit for you, our first suggestion is that you might want to start looking for a different career<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

But, long hours aren’t always a bad thing. They usually lead to a higher salary and even more significant benefits. So, if you’re having trouble getting through a long shift, use the tips listed here to make your workdays a little easier.<\/p>\n

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    Wake Up Earlier<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    After a long day at work, there is nothing that sounds better than getting a good night’s sleep. For a lot of people, that means sleeping in until the last possible second the next day. You might even find yourself hitting the snooze button on your alarm as often as you can. Waking up earlier might sound like a nightmare! Won’t you be tired during the day?<\/p>\n

    Waking up a little earlier before work can make a big difference. It doesn’t have to be a huge chunk of time. Even waking up 15-20 minutes earlier can be beneficial. Why? You can use that time to do something for yourself. Read a few chapters of a book, catch up on the news, go for a jog, etc.<\/p>\n

    Think of something you enjoy doing and take that bit of extra time in the morning to do it. Don’t use this time to do anything work-related. By the time you get into work that day, you’ll already have done something good for yourself. That can make a difference in your attitude and help you to get through your shift feeling a sense of accomplishment.<\/p>\n

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      Don’t Sleep Right Away<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Again, it can be tempting to crawl right into bed after a long day on the job. But, this tip goes hand-in-hand with the one above. Give yourself some time to unwind after work instead of going to bed right away. Do something for yourself. It doesn’t have to take long. If you can do something for an hour, that’s great. If it’s just for 15 minutes, it’s better than nothing!<\/p>\n

      Whatever you do, it should be something that takes your mind off work and helps you relax. Sleep is essential\u00a0if you’re working long hours. So, try to find something that will make it easier to fall asleep. Reading, watching an episode of your favorite TV show, or listening to music can all be helpful.<\/p>\n

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        Pack Your Own Snacks<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        If you’re in the middle of a long shift and you need a break, it’s so easy to walk over to the nearest vending machine. Indulging in a sugary treat or something salty and greasy might give you a pick-me-up for a few minutes. Unfortunately, it can leave you feeling sluggish and lethargic.<\/p>\n

        Most of the snacks available in workplace environments don’t have a reputation for being too healthy. You might get a quick burst of energy from something sugary. But, it won’t take long to crash. That can make a long shift feel even longer!<\/p>\n

        By bringing your own snacks with you, you can determine which foods make you feel good and give you energy. Pack several snacks to get you through the day. They should be portable, easy to eat, and healthy. Things like an apple with a bit of peanut butter or a handful of almonds are a great option. You can also opt for fat-free yogurt or a banana if you’re looking for something naturally-sweet.<\/p>\n

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          Get Enough Sleep<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Even though we’ve suggested waking up earlier and taking time for yourself before bed, that doesn’t mean you should give up on precious sleep. If you don’t get enough rest, it’s hard to catch up, and it can leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated for days.<\/p>\n

          \"How<\/p>\n

          For some people, setting a bedtime routine and following it is the best way to ensure they get enough sleep each night. Otherwise, it can be too tempting to binge watch your favorite show or spend hours online, until you’ve wasted half your night!<\/p>\n

          It can be hard to get an afternoon nap in if you’re working many hours. So, getting as much rest as possible at night is vital. Not only will you feel better through the day, but it’s likely you’ll be able to perform better at your job.<\/p>\n

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            Take Better Breaks<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            If you’re working long shifts, there’s a good chance you’ll get several breaks throughout the day. You can make a difference in how you feel by using these breaks wisely, and to your advantage! Breaks should be used to reduce the mental and emotional stress that can come from working a lot.<\/p>\n

            With that in mind, try to do things that keep you calm and relaxed. Take a short walk and listen to the sounds of nature or calming music. Try to find a quiet space and focus on some deep-breathing exercises or meditation.<\/p>\n

            Things to avoid? Catching up on a TV show on your phone or tablet, listening to music that might get you ‘fired up,’ or instantly getting on social media. These are all things that can further stimulate your mind and make you feel more on edge when you get back to work. If you take a few minutes to do something that clears your head, you can get back to your job feeling refreshed.<\/p>\n

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              Stay Connected to Your Friends<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              When you work a lot, you may not feel like you have enough time to spend with your family or friends. But, staying connected in any way can make you feel better about your relationships and make the fact that you don’t see them a lot a bit easier.<\/p>\n

              Thankfully, it’s easier to stay connected to people you care about than ever before. Take 15-20 minutes each day to call or video chat with someone close to you. Sending a text message is easy, but it doesn’t often give you that real feeling of connection. Hearing someone’s voice or seeing their face can lift your spirits.<\/p>\n

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                Don’t Be Afraid to Vent<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                While you’re connecting with those friends and family, don’t be afraid to talk about your life. This means covering both the good and the bad things. Loved ones don’t mind hearing about what’s going on in your life, even if it isn’t perfect.<\/p>\n

                \"Helpful<\/p>\n

                Working long hours and keeping those feelings of exhaustion locked away can be damaging. You don’t have to complain about what you’re doing constantly, but it’s a good idea to let out any frustrations you might be holding onto. Even talking about your problems for a few minutes a day can make a difference in how you feel.<\/p>\n

                It’s great to have people who will listen, but when you let out these problems, the people who care about you can help you to manage them better. They may be able to make you laugh or give you advice. Either way, letting things go and not letting them bottle up inside will make it easier to get through each day at work.<\/p>\n

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                  Complete That Daunting Task First<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Often, we can dread a work day because there’s something on our to-do list that is looming over us. Maybe it’s an email you’ve been putting off sending. Perhaps it’s a project that needs to get started or finished up. We tend to procrastinate on tasks we don’t want to do.<\/p>\n

                  The problem with that is the longer you leave the task alone, the more pressing it will become. That can end up causing a lot of unnecessary stress.<\/p>\n

                  It’s better to take that first thing on your list that you don’t want to do and push through it. The sooner you get it done, the less you’ll have to worry about it. Getting something like this done first thing in the morning can make the entire day feel different.<\/p>\n

                  It likely won’t drag on, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and productivity. When your workday is filled with more things you want to do, it can help to make time feel like it’s going by a little faster.<\/p>\n

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                    Stay Busy<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Long days on the job can feel even longer if you feel like you don’t have anything to do. Some people frown at the idea of ‘busy work’ as though it isn’t useful. It can end up adding a lot of productivity to your day. It also helps to work as a distraction. If you get yourself wrapped up in some busy work, a couple of hours could go by before you know it!<\/p>\n

                    Busy work isn’t necessarily a mindless action that takes up hours of your day. It should have a\u00a0purpose and should benefit you and\/or your job in some way. But, once you’ve crossed some of the big things off your list, think about what needs to get done that doesn’t take a lot of effort or focus.<\/p>\n

                    Some good examples are:<\/p>\n

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