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Firefighter Insomnia
Heard of it? Experienced it? Dealing with it right now?
I've noticed that some of the stations I work at I seem to be up all night not being able to fall asleep. It's usually at the slower station where I suffer bouts of insomnia. Anyone have any good methods to help with this? We head to our gym for about an hour every shift, if possible we take a nap after lunch, and we're always out and about doing something. However, it seems like I still find myself flipping through channels on the tv and looking up random stuff on wikipedia and FFN to help pass the time and wear myself out. I know this can't be too great on one's health; if it were a once in a while type thing I would understand, but its starting to become habitual and occuring every shift now (we work 24/24 for 2 weeks followed by 7days off) Any ideas would be appreciated.
Jon Logue
I've noticed that some of the stations I work at I seem to be up all night not being able to fall asleep. It's usually at the slower station where I suffer bouts of insomnia. Anyone have any good methods to help with this? We head to our gym for about an hour every shift, if possible we take a nap after lunch, and we're always out and about doing something. However, it seems like I still find myself flipping through channels on the tv and looking up random stuff on wikipedia and FFN to help pass the time and wear myself out. I know this can't be too great on one's health; if it were a once in a while type thing I would understand, but its starting to become habitual and occuring every shift now (we work 24/24 for 2 weeks followed by 7days off) Any ideas would be appreciated.
Jon Logue
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on -
Bill I'll be sure to keep that in mind on those long nights where I can't seem to sleep at all. Thanks for the offer bro.
Jon
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Permalink Reply by larry jenkins on -
I just retired from 36 years of this. I never slept well at the station. I worked mostly at busy houses but did a couple of years at slow ones. Didn't matter, I still never slept well. I think it's because you know any minute your going to be up anyway. I only have one cup a coffee at the beginning of the shift and don't have anymore caffine for the rest of the day. On 24 hour shifts you do need an afternoon nap. Limit it to 1/2 hour, any longer and your sleep patterns get mixed messages. Go to bed without getting wound up by the TV or computer. Before bed each night my whole shift gathered in the call office and just BS'd until you got tired. On nights where I could sleep well, I would clear my mind of everything and just count numbers until I slept. Even still, I would get up and go to the bathroom around 0200 hrs. Days off never bothered me. Force of habit, because I knew if I didn't, we would be on a run where I couldn't go.
I've got to tell you, I been retired two weeks now. I fell rested and my wife now sleeps with me. She said my snoring disappeared after be home for a week.
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
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I don't drink any caffeine or carbonated beverages Larry, my naps though if I do take one usually are about 30mins-2hrs depending on which station I'm at. I like the idea of BSing until tired I'll definently try it.I don't have the problem of waking up to goto the bathroom at night, bit then again I am still quite young. I definently need to get away from watching tv and playing on the computer before going to bed because it really doesn't seem to help. Hope you're enjoying retirement, take care!
-Jon
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Permalink Reply by GC on -
Your not alone, I too can not fall asleep in the firehouse. I just can never seem to relax with the thought of having to respond at any moment. Ive been a Boston firefighter for 23 years and still have not even taken an afternoon nap. Regardless of whether we have a busy tour or how little sleep I get prior to arriving at work I find myself up alone watching espn till the shift changes in the morning. Any help would be appreciated...
Greg
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
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Greg at first I didn't take naps. I came from a department that believed you came to work for 0600, worked until lunch, broke from 1100-1200 to eat, went back to work until 1800 and then you could relax and turn on the tv. You couldn't goto bed until 2200 though and had to be up no later than 0530 the next morning for shift change. When I came to a department that was more laid back I was shocked at what I had been missing out on haha. I find myself watching comedies until I can pass out, also working out no later than 1800 any later and it just keeps you up.
-Jon
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Permalink Reply by Donald Neil Galbraith on -
Try warm milk, it works for babies and the mentally challeneged
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
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Not a real milk fan Donald, unless its chocolate milk. I've heard the phrase, "God looks out for children and firefighter" and I've been told you have to be a bit crazy to work this job. So I'm going to assume your speaking of the mentally challenged is referring to firefighter. Thanks for the response.
-Jon
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Permalink Reply by Russ on -
i used to expierence what i called "firehouse mode" when it came to sleeping. we used to get woken up on every call until we went to single station toning. even then i used to "sleep" but not rest and used to grab 5 hours of sleep when i got home the next morning. my wife never understood how i could sleep and not rest espically when we never had a call
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
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I'm the same way Russ, generally when I get off I'll pass out in my recliner at home until about 9 or 10 and then start my day. I never slept deeply at work but then again if I did I'd never make a run!
-Jon
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on -
blacking out all the light in the room as much as possible - and especially shielding or turning away alarm clocks which force your eyes and brain to conciously focus. White noise, such as from a fan, can be helpful
I agree with this.
Seems there are several of us who have the same issue with sleeping at a firehouse. I use a small personal fan for the white noise and that helps to fall asleep and drones out snorers as well. Reducing light also helps and we have dorms at some stations that are darker than others, the darkness helps.
I also don't sleep deeply at the station and the wife often asks why I'm tired the next day, but it is a different mindset being at work and being at home. The fan or other white noise issue does certainly help.
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
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My problem John really lies in me not feeling sleepy. I'm tired but just so wide awake that I don't go lay down in the bedroom. I tend to find myself on the internet or watching tv until I'm finally so tired I'm about to pass out. Though sometimes (actually quite frequently) I find myself passing out in a recliner. We have small tvs infront of everyones bed, so I used to in the past goto bed around the same time everyone else did and just lay in bed with the tv on (with the sleep timer set and volume extra low of course) and usually passed out in about 5-10mins. I just can't seem to force myself to goto the bed lately I guess. Thanks for the comments though.
-Jon
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