Working late nights and transforming your body’s natural functions to fit into a new work schedule is a grueling task. The life of a late-night guard is often quiet but can run rife with potential hazards depending on what is being protected. If you’re looking to train a team or learn something yourself, these are some important tips for security guards on the night shift.
Maintain Healthy Habits
The night shift usually means you won’t have as much time for daytime leisure as most people do. However, things like healthy eating and exercise only need slight modifications to maintain your schedule. After all, the hardest part is adjusting your routine for the first time. This will be a brief stint for you and others, but taking control and planning things will be critical to your success.
If you can’t wake up early enough to make a balanced breakfast, it is a good idea to prep your meals for the week in advance. This allows you to finish your morning routine and quickly grab a bite on your way out. Staying fit in 2022 does not have to be an intimidating task; starting with the basics is an excellent strategy.
Vitamin D Is Key
The average amount of time a person takes in vitamin D from the sun is around 30 minutes a day, several times a week. Nighttime workers tend to fall a bit flat on that average. Keeping this in mind, it will benefit you to consider taking vitamin D supplements to counter this potential deficiency. Doing so prevents side effects of vitamin D deficiency such as weakened immune system, fatigue, muscle pain, and more. Comfort fosters longevity in this job, and the more favors you can do yourself, the more likely you’ll be able to keep going.
Stay Hydrated
The benefits of regularly drinking water provide more than just healthy skin. Being consistently hydrated allows your body to remain energetic and rely less heavily upon caffeine. By waiting a few hours after waking up and saving the energy boost for later in your shift, you maintain steady vigor throughout the shift. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t drink coffee, but it is essential to consider the eventual crash that follows consumption.
Maintain Your Equipment
Night shift workers get muddled with a changing sleep schedule and a reversed lifestyle. Despite this, it is crucial to maintain the equipment you regularly rely on. Small things like taking care of your radio battery, double-checking your flashlight, or making sure you have a pen and paper ready all go a long way in ensuring no hiccups arise in urgent situations. Where you work will determine how lax or tense the job is. Regardless, you want to be ready for any case.
By keeping in mind some of these important tips for security guards on the night shift, you confidently set yourself or others up to succeed on the job. Being prepared and well-taken care of makes anyone nervous about disrupting your late-night duty.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
