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      I must admit, personally I believe it is far easier to switch to a later shift, than an early one. Now that I'm a month into working mornings, I know that I can still sleep in on weekends...waking up after that weekend or a few days off however, never really gets "easier", but there are ways I've found that have helped me adapt. I thought I'd share incase any readers are facing a major schedule shift.

Tip 1 Create a Routine

     Your body will always function better if it knows what to expect, and that requires repetition. If one day you are staying up late and planning on napping the next to make up for that lost time, you better be prepared to be dragging in between that time. While it is hard to always do certain things around the same time, I have found that if I do so, I tend to function a little better. The main things I try and do are eat frequently enough, and at the same times each day (about a 1/2 hour after I wake up I try and eat a piece of fruit and a breakfast bar). Also, make sure you're trying to sleep around the same time each day. Forcing yourself to fall asleep when you are not tired is hard to do, but at least if you give yourself quiet time, to lay down you will eventually fall asleep.

Tip 2 Non-Addicting Sleep Aids

    If you are desparate to get sleep within a few days of switching over to a new shift, you can take Tylonol PM or perhaps a doctor prescribed sleep aid, however I find they tend to leave me feeling groggy the next day. If you go to any health food store they sell Melatonin, which is a natural chemical that helps you sleep. Start with half a pill, if its not enough take 1 full pill about an hour before bed.

Tip 3 Listen to Your Body

    If you're feeling tired, or dragging, baby yourself. What I mean by that is...drink plenty of fluids, Vitamin C (I find Emergen-C vitamin boost packets work great) and rest. Go to bed early if you need to.

Tip 4 If Naps Work For You, Don't Oversleep

   Some people find that napping doesn't work, and they need all their sleep in one lump sum, however I like a nap right after work, so that I don't have to go to bed too early. I like to sleep for 1-2 hours tops, any more than that and I wind up feeling groggy and can't get to sleep later on that night. Usually a 90 minute nap re-energizes me enough to get to the gym and run errands after that. Make sure when you nap, that you turn OFF your phones.  A nap is basically worthless if you don't get to sleep completely.