text: does anyone have any good suggestion about how to stay awake whilst doing night shifts? serious answers please. i work 12 hr s night shifts 7pm-730 am and have three small kids and attend college class, so i swear by these suggestions: stay busy at all times, eat small meals, stand instead of sitting. i only have to work 32 hrs which is considered full time i do one day in the middle of the week  and then two days together. this helps with gettign sleep. the first night i am well rested so there is usually no problem in staying awake nor being too tired. the first of the two nights i am rested b/c i had a break, the third night is my sleepest b/c i usually get less sleep due to my kids being up. i make sure i try to go to sleep immediatly after arriving at home trying to bypass the second wind. its almost impossible to stay awake we are fight our bodies natural rhythm. good luck.