Tips for exhaustion on the job?

ajhamb · December 2013

Pre-pregnancy, I usually worked (in an office) 7am-7pm. Now at 8w, I can barely make it to 1pm before a sort of devastating, unavoidable exhaustion sets in, and sticks around until ~4pm. My eyelids get heavy and my heart rate drops; concentration is difficult, if not impossible. Because of this, I feel like I'm operating at like 50% of my normal work abilities already. Important afternoon meetings are killing me!

I don't plan to announce at work until 14-16w (work reasons, am trying for a promotion and believe that I may be passed up if they know). And unfortunately, no way to nap in the middle of the day, but BOY I wish I could.

Any tips from other ladies with similar situations?

jnnfrrose6 · December 2013

You said there is no way to nap during the afternoon, but don't you take a lunch? Could you get a power nap in for about 20 minutes to help during your lunch?

rainydayluck · December 2013

jnnfrrose6 said:

You said there is no way to nap during the afternoon, but don't you take a lunch? Could you get a power nap in for about 20 minutes to help during your lunch?

This is what I was going to suggest. That and caffeine.

tealowl · December 2013

I'm not 100% at my job right now either, but we have a couple of love seats in our break room that I take little cat naps on sometimes on my breaks/lunch.

Or, you can also chill out in a bathroom stall. No one going to ask if you were pooping or sneaking an extra break in. I've totally done that hungover before.

ajhamb · December 2013

Unfortunately most days of the week, I have lunch meetings, or need to work through lunch.

Also, there is nowhere in the office that I could cat-nap without causing serious suspicion. Naps just aren't a possibility (nor would they be appropriate in my workplace).

Bathroom stall might have to do...

ErikaLynn75 · December 2013

When I was dealing with exhaustion at work, I found that snacking helped. I would always be tired in the afternoon if I ate a big lunch, but if I just snacked constantly through the day I felt better. Some sliced strawberries, or yogurt (cold things typically wake me up a little)

I also found that sometimes when I thought I was going to pass out at my desk, the best option was to get up and walk around for a little while.

But I was also going to bed at like 8:00 and sleep for 9-10 hours. I really think that's what makes the biggest difference.

ajhamb · December 2013

ErikaLynn-- good thinking. Got to start bringing in more snacks!

And sleeping more! I'm still typically sleeping ~7 hrs on a good night. So much tossing and turning even when I'm taking Unisom. Not sure if it's nerves or just the construction site that is my uterus keeping me up all night.

strmbreez · December 2013

I'm having the same problem right now. I have found that the more sleep I get at night, the better I do during the day. I also try and do catnaps during lunch, but if you can't do that then I'm not sure how you would beat the fatigue other than by getting as much sleep as possible at night. Today, I'm hurting because I had a gig last night (I'm a musician) and I worked both jobs yesterday. Now, I'm paying for it.

rainydayluck · December 2013

ErikaLynn75 said:

When I was dealing with exhaustion at work, I found that snacking helped. I would always be tired in the afternoon if I ate a big lunch, but if I just snacked constantly through the day I felt better. Some sliced strawberries, or yogurt (cold things typically wake me up a little)

I also found that sometimes when I thought I was going to pass out at my desk, the best option was to get up and walk around for a little while.

But I was also going to bed at like 8:00 and sleep for 9-10 hours. I really think that's what makes the biggest difference.

Oooo, these are good tips too.

JLKinnear · December 2013

I work a 12 hour shift too and have been exhausted once I hit the 8th hour. I started eating a lighter lunch and brought in small healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day. Try getting up and walk around for a few minutes when it gets really bad!

ShinyFirefly · December 2013

In the summer and warmer days of Spring and Fall I'd cat nap on my 15 minute break in my car. Set an alarm and doze off. Really helped me when I would switch from swing shifts to day shifts and was exhausted at 9 am because of it. Now I work swings so I get to sleep every day (when I'm not waking up at 8:30 like clock work) but I'm super sleepy by 5 pm (which is when everyone else at work is leaving) and it's wayy too cold go nap in my car. I probably could curl up under my desk but with the chance of doctors walking into my office I'd rather not.

skyesmith · December 2013

I had to tell my boss early on because of HORRIBLE morning sickness and I wanted to take it easy. You might be surprised how understanding your boss can be. I work odd hours and long days too and since my boss knows he has let me change my schedule a bit. Good luck!

blushingbride_08 · December 2013

If you get desperate book a meeting with yourself. Find a bathroom and take a power nap. I was salaried so as long as I got my work done that was what mattered. Also try breaking up your lunch break into smaller breaks throughout the day like 15 mins each and get fresh air.

FrodaBaggins · December 2013

I wish I had better advice that applied outside of my situation, but I am lucky to have my own office with a little corner that I dragged a partition in front of. I put some blankets and a small pillow down. It's just long/wide enough to fit me and I now use my lunch hour to nap there. If I didn't have that available, I would definitely be going to my car, but I live in a place with mild winter weather. Once spring/summer comes around that wouldn't be an option either.

Texasgurly0313 · December 2013

Definitely gonna take some of these tips and use them. I usually survive in energy drinks and sodas during my shifts.

I work 12 hour shifts, and right now I'm on nights. We switch back to days in the middle of January (we switch every three months, so I'll be on nights, and then days again by my EDD).

Want a personalized experience?

Tips for exhaustion on the job?

Re: Tips for exhaustion on the job?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards