It wouldn't be easy to change the biological clock inside your body once you start working on a night shift. Even if you have spent the whole day in your bed, sleep sometimes knocks on your back at night. Then there's headache or feeling of dizziness. But once you get used to working at night, it will be just the same as working at day.
Here are some tips to fend off sleepiness while working on a night shift.
1. Have a good rest during day time. Of course, since you are already working at night, you should spend your day like it was your night time when you were still working on the day shift. Have a good rest. Sleep for at least 6 hours. Don't do tiring works.
2. Start your shift on a positive mood. Don't think that you will be feeling sleepy in the next 4 or 5 hours because you might. As much as possible, don't think that you are working on the graveyard, think that you are working the 9-5 schedule.
3. Prepare a hot, aromatic cup of coffee. If you are into it, drinking coffee during your graveyard shift will surely help you keep awake. Maybe it's the chemicals in the coffee that stirs our senses and keeps our eyes wide open, but whatever it is, it will surely help.
4. When you are given an hour of break, use it. Spend time going to the pantry or breathing some fresh, night air outside your office. Flex some muscle. Do stretching. Avoid being idle in your station because it will surely cause sleepiness.
5. Love your job. As what I have been saying in my websites http://www.philippineworks.com and http://www.workstreet.net, whether you are working on the day shift or the graveyard shift, it won't matter if you love your job. Sleepiness will be far from reaching you if you put passion and commitment to the job that you have now.