When the Noise Stops After Swing and the Silence Hits Hard

You don’t notice how loud site life is—until it stops.

Alarms. Grinders. Radios. The constant chatter. It’s full-on, but it keeps your head busy. Then your swing ends, you fly home… and the silence punches you in the gut.

No machinery. No crew. Just quiet. Maybe too quiet. The kind that makes your skin crawl and your brain start digging through the stuff you’ve been avoiding.

You sit on the couch, staring at the telly, wondering why being home feels harder than being away. You thought the break would help. Instead, you feel disconnected, flat, maybe even a bit lost.

You’re not soft. You're not broken. But something’s off—and it’s more common than you think.

The “Crash” After Swing: What’s Really Going On

That post-swing silence isn’t just uncomfortable—it can hit like a freight train. It's called Post-Deployment Syndrome in some circles, and FIFO workers experience something very similar. Here's why:

• Loss of structure: On site, every minute’s accounted for. At home? Not so much. That lack of routine can throw your brain into chaos.

• Mental fatigue: You’ve been in survival mode for 12 hours a day, sometimes more. When the adrenaline drops, the emotional hangover kicks in.

• Social disconnection: You miss the boys—but you’re also out of sync with your partner, your kids, your mates back home. You feel like a ghost in your own life.

• Emotional avoidance: Site noise is a great distraction. When it’s gone, those suppressed thoughts, regrets, and worries start bubbling up.

Studies show FIFO workers are 70% more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety than the general population.¹ Add in sleep issues, alcohol use, and strained relationships, and it's a cocktail that can sneak up on you.

What Silence Is Actually Telling You

That heavy silence is trying to tell you something: You’re carrying too much. And you’ve been running on fumes. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away—it just makes it louder.

You might notice:

• You feel restless at home.

• You pick fights over nothing.

• You drink more than you should—just to feel something.

• You feel like you don’t belong anywhere—not on site, not at home.

That’s not weakness. That’s a mental health red flag, and it’s your brain’s way of asking for backup.

What You Can Actually Do About It (No Fluff)

Alright, so now what? Here’s the straight-up approach to handling the silence:

1. Build a routine at home – Doesn’t have to be military-level, but don’t sit around waiting to feel “normal.” Wake up at the same time, move your body, plan your day—even if it’s low-key.

2. Talk to someone who gets it – Not your missus if things are already strained. Find a mate, a FIFO-aware counsellor, or even an online forum for FIFO workers. The key? Don’t bottle it.

3. Cut back the booze – Hard truth: alcohol amplifies depression and anxiety. If you're smashing a six-pack a night post-swing, you're not “unwinding”—you're numbing out, and it’s costing you.

4. Reintegrate slowly – Your partner and kids aren’t waiting with a parade. They're in their groove. Don’t take it personally. Instead, ask what they need, and tell them what you need too. Reconnecting takes effort—not just your presence.

5. Learn to sit with the silence – It's uncomfortable, but it's also a signal. Use it to check in with yourself: Am I okay? What’s eating me? If the answer’s “I don’t know,” talk to a pro. That’s strength, not failure.

Bottom Line

FIFO work is brutal—mentally, emotionally, physically. The noise can be easier than the silence because at least it drowns things out. But silence is where the healing starts if you stop running from it.

Don’t wait for a breakdown. Pay attention to the warning signs. That uneasy feeling after swing isn’t “just tiredness.” It’s a mental health moment you need to respect.

You’ve survived worse than this. But you don’t have to do it alone.

Organizations in Australia that focus on men's mental health include: 

• MensLine Australia: an online counselling and forum for men — call 1300 78 99 78
• Dads In Distress: a peer support for separated dads — call 1300 853 437
• SANE Australia: for people living with a mental illness — call 1800 18 7263 or chat online
• Beyond Blue: has health resources specifically designed for men — call 1300 22 4636