Christmas Presents

Christmas is here again, and with it comes that inevitable question; “what presents to buy for your loved ones?”
Well here are some gift ideas for any shift worker. Shift workers tend to work nights and this can cause problems, problems staying awake and going to sleep at times against their natural inclinations.
Therefore you may wish to include:

• A daylight alarm clock (I have a Lumie that slowly lowers the light when I want to go to sleep, simulating sunset and slowly raises the light when I want to wake up.)
• A runaway alarm clock (so that you have to get up)
• Blackout curtains (great for getting rid of that pesky daylight)
• Sleep mask
• Ear Plugs (so that your neighbour mowing the lawn doesn’t bother you)
• “DO NOT DISTURB” sign
• White noise CD (helps eliminate background noise)
• Rainforest CD (or any soothing sounds that are restful)
• BBC Radio Plays (I found Five Red Herrings the best, it took me two months before I'd heard the end of it)
• Active noise cancelation headphones (not the most comfortable things to fall asleep with but very useful when you are trying to drift off)
• Air Conditioner or fan (it is easier to fall asleep in a cool room and during the summer when it’s muggy these are a God send)
• Lunch Pack (because the canteen is normally closed during the night)
• Thermals (when you are trying to stay alert at night it is important to keep warm)
• Wool socks (during the night your feet will be the first thing to get cold)
• Relaxing drinks to promote sleep (Horlicks or hot chocolate made with milk)
• Coffee or Tea (to help keep you alert at night)
• Torch (so you can find your way to the car at 5am)
• Car kits (when travelling during the winter, it is important to keep your car in tiptop shape and carry with you a blanket, de-icer, water and snacks)
• Kindle (reading books is a nice way to help you fall asleep, especially one of our text books!)
• Ebooks on shift work (we have a nice range available from Amazon)
• A National Trust Membership (because shift workers tend to have more days off than the majority so you need something to do.)

If you are already organised, don't worry. These ideas will still work for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Father's Day, Mothering Sunday etc.

Merry Christmas