Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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HELP! Opener with sleep issues (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by ruffianprincess
Hi everyone! I am, as the title suggests, a regular opener with sleep issues. I’ve had anxiety that affects my sleep for most of my life now, and find it’s especially bad when I’m opening. I can sleep fine if my shift is scheduled for 7 am or later, but more often than not I’m brought in to open or work earlier than that. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?
I’ve tried taking Benadryl to sleep on the really difficult nights, but even then I’ve started to see that my brain powers through the drowsiness from it. Also, I only work 3 days a week, but can’t change my sleep schedule on every night due to other reasons (but I don’t typically stay up past midnight on non-work nights anyways).
I’ve thought about changing my availability to say that I’m not able to work before 7 am, but I feel like that’s a cop-out and my manager may find me lazy. To be honest, I’d much rather open than close, but it’s getting to a point where it takes too much of a toll on my health to be worth it. Are there any other baristas with sleep issues that have some advice? Thanks in advance!!
I’ve tried taking Benadryl to sleep on the really difficult nights, but even then I’ve started to see that my brain powers through the drowsiness from it. Also, I only work 3 days a week, but can’t change my sleep schedule on every night due to other reasons (but I don’t typically stay up past midnight on non-work nights anyways).
I’ve thought about changing my availability to say that I’m not able to work before 7 am, but I feel like that’s a cop-out and my manager may find me lazy. To be honest, I’d much rather open than close, but it’s getting to a point where it takes too much of a toll on my health to be worth it. Are there any other baristas with sleep issues that have some advice? Thanks in advance!!
lrdz2124 8 points 2y ago
Melatonin? I used to spend many weeks in the children’s hospital when I was in my early teens, I couldn’t sleep because of stress and the other sick babies around me who would cry. Melatonin is a great way to help you fall asleep and hopefully get you into a better sleeping schedule. I also like to put my essential oil diffuser on before bed. Maybe relaxing scents will help you dose off? Maybe calming teas before bed. My mom also told me that apparently a cold shower before bed helps you dose off.
ruffianprincess [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Oh my goodness so many suggestions! I have tried melatonin in the past, and I got so reliant on it that it stopped working for me :( my essential oil diffuser is definitely something that does help me! I’ve been using lavender, grapefruit, eucalyptus, and ylang ylang, do you have any other suggestions? And I’ll definitely try the tea and cold showers! Thank you so much!! 💖
kell_fire 7 points 2y ago
Dude there is zero wrong with setting a 7am time. Explain to your manager your concerns for your health. Some people just can’t manage the 4/4am open time! It’s okay!
ruffianprincess [OP] 3 points 2y ago
We don’t open until 5:30, but having a shift starting at 5 am really isn’t that much later than 4 lol. I will definitely be discussing this with my manager. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! 💖
ginaginabeana 2 points 2y ago
The biggest thing I had to do was stop taking naps during the day. I recommend having a specific bedtime routine, where you implement some herbal tea and set up your essential oil diffuser. When you consistently do things like that, your body will eventually associate the scents and tastes with sleep. Meditation is also a great way to stop overthinking at night if you regularly practice it! And I know that using our phones before bed stimulates our brains and can make it hard to fall asleep, so you might want to stay off your phone before bed. Idk I had trouble getting sleep before my 4am shifts during the summer and I just did all of those things because I felt like sleeping pills would make it harder to wake up
Nigee_Ogee 2 points 2y ago
I would talk to your doctor
sleepdocx 1 points 2y ago
Try Microlayer topical sleep patches. They have a little melatonin and other natural ingredients. I've found they help with anxiety too.
littledahmer 1 points 2y ago
You could try valerian tea with cinnamon sticks. It personally works for me and gets me all sleepy. That or some melatonin and I’m out for the night.
hahadrums 1 points 2y ago
I had sleep pills, but they messed me up. Also, I take meds for adhd, which affected my sleep, until I started taking them earlier.
But
The main and only thing that has helped me is using a narcolepsy alarm. Literally, I can wake up at 3am with no issue. It is a god send. I went from sleeping on a hardwood floor with no blankets so I could easily wake up, to sleeping in a bed b4 opening shifts. Ahhh!!
But
The main and only thing that has helped me is using a narcolepsy alarm. Literally, I can wake up at 3am with no issue. It is a god send. I went from sleeping on a hardwood floor with no blankets so I could easily wake up, to sleeping in a bed b4 opening shifts. Ahhh!!
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