Best Blinds For Night Shift Workers
Regardless of the industry you're in, working the night shift likely means reversing everything about your day-to-day routines as they stand. You sleep when you're meant to work and work when you're meant to sleep - it can be overwhelming to readjust to.
One of the most frustrating aspects of working a night shift is trying to override your body's circadian rhythm - basically, your internal clock that tells you that, while the sun is up, you must be awake.
The area where you sleep plays a huge part in achieving a healthy work-life regime for a night shift worker. You need to make that environment as easy to adjust as possible, so you can, in effect, trick your body into thinking it's time to sleep. One of the easiest ways to do this is to invest in blinds that darken a room effectively.
But what are the best types of blinds for those working the night shift, and how do you choose which is the best type for you? Read on to find out.
Black-Out Blinds
You've likely heard of black-out blinds before. Black-out blinds are blinds that completely block out all light, resulting in a darkened room for you to drift off in. However, something to bear in mind when buying black-out blinds is that they must be made to measure.
If they don't perfectly fit your window's dimensions, then glaring light will still be able to seep through the sides or bottom - effectively rendering them useless.
Contrary to the name too, black-out blinds don't have to be black, meaning they can seamlessly match your existing decor.
Aside from providing light control that is perfect for children's bedrooms, shift workers and those who struggle to sleep when light is entering the room, black-out blinds also offer a range of other benefits to assist in a perfect night's rest.
• They provide an extra layer of insulation and your windows is one of the primary entry points for the heat and cold.
• They make the room more comfortable and help you rely less on air-conditioning and heating.
• You can even get cellular black-out blinds that have even greater insulation qualities for improved sleep.
Because people generally use black-out blinds because they need to sleep during the day, they have also been engineered with soundproofing qualities. If you live near the main road, a school or have construction going on nearby, these blinds can help shield you from excess noise.
Day and Night Blinds
Also commonly referred to as vision blinds, day and night blinds are another popular choice of window adornment for night shift workers. This is because they allow you greater control over the amount of light that enters your room using a simple twist-cord.
You can twist them closed to omit all light or, should you have a few days off as a break from your schedule, twist them open to allow natural light to come flooding in. Like black-out blinds, day and night blinds can come in a wide array of colours to match your bedroom's existing design.
There are different kinds of day and night blinds you can consider, each with its own individual styles and benefits. Some of the options you can choose from include:
Want to learn more about which blinds best suit other rooms of your home?
We have written another blog post about which type of blinds are best for your home. Check it out today if you're also looking to install blinds throughout your house.
Honeycomb Blinds
Are you having trouble sleeping because the room gets too hot or cold as well as too much light? These solutions have a unique cellular structure that captures light in between the fabric just like a honeycomb. This provides further insulation qualities to make the room more comfortable during the day or night.
Roller Blinds
Some people prefer to control the level of light entering their home rather than block it out completely. Roller blinds are available in sunscreen models that block out harmful UV rays and light filter options to allow for some light to enter the room.
Curtains and Blinds
Create your own day and night combinations with curtains and blinds to suit your style, allowing you to control the level of light and the aesthetic appeal of your property.
Some General Tips to Keep in Mind When Choosing the
Best Blinds for Daytime Sleeping
Check Their Purpose
Yes, you could just buy regular blinds and hope that they do the job. While normal blinds do block out a lot of light, but overriding your body's natural rhythm requires your blinds to do some heavy lifting. Ensure the blinds you buy are purpose-built to block out all natural light.
Check Versatility
Especially if your night shifts are irregular, you want to make sure that you can adjust your bedroom's capacity to let in or prevent light on a basis that suits you. This is where choices such as day and night blinds come in particularly handy.
Choose the right colour
It is a common misconception that black-out blinds need to be black. This can be a deterrent for people who prefer bright colours in their room (like a children’s bedroom, for example) or those that have a specific colour palette and style. You can choose blackout blinds from a wide range of styles and patterns that will efficiently block out the sun for easier sleeping.
Get the right fit
Pre-made blinds are never going to be an absolute fit to your window cavity, allowing light to crack in around the sides and at the bottom. These shards of light can be extremely annoying. Always opt for custom-made blinds that have been properly measured up to fit your exact window cavities.
Are you having problems with your sleep pattern?
Some people might not even realise they need day-night blinds. If you are having any issues with your sleeping, it could be an option worth exploring, though. You should always speak with your GP about sleep-related issues that could be impacting your health and quality of life. Blackout blinds can be part of the solution, though, removing light sources that are keeping you awake.
Shop Our Blinds Now
If you're a night shift worker needing functional and stylish blinds to turn your days into nights, look no further than Deluxe Shutters & Blinds. We have a wide range of blinds to suit all needs and budgets. We can also custom blinds if you need something more specific.
We can be contacted either on (07) 4951 1559 or through our online contact form if you'd prefer a call back.
