Does Anyone Work the Graveyard Shift?
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
United States
March 12, 2007 8:11pm CST
I work part time at the place I live and one of my co-workers is ill so I'm working his shift tonight from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Does anyone have any tips for staying awake?
I'm planning to take a short nap before I go and I'm going to take my computer and do some work and maybe some posting on here. Fortunately, it's pretty quiet overnight so I think I may be able to get a lot done.
Anyway, let me know if you have some clever hints.
3 responses
@ironstruck (2298)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
I've worked years of that shift in the past and I think the problem with most people on that shift is that they sleep at the wrong time.
They get home at 7 or 8 am..have breakfast and then probably go to bed.
Then they get up at 2 0r 3 p.m. and fool around until work time.
They go to work and by about 3 a.m. they can hardly keep their eyes open. They get a bit of a second wind about 5-5:30 am. Then they do it all again.
I think that is backwards.
I get home, go for a run, have breakfast and go out and do stuff until about 3:30 pm and THEN go to bed. I get up for work at 10 pm.
Just like I was working a day shift.
Get up and go to work..Works great..
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Thank you so much! That's good advise to a degree, except that I have to notarize something for someone at 2 p.m. tomorrow so maybe I'll wait until I get back from that to sleep, if I can. I'm planning to take a nap this evening before I go to work so hopefully that will help me. I tend to be a night person in general but not all night. I have occasionally worked on the computer until 4 or 5 in the morning, though.
This should definitely be an interesting experience.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Well, I did great for my first time on graveyard shift and I actually like working that shift. It's so quiet and I was able to get a lot done. I turned on my movies and had a good old time. I did take coffee down with me and I think it helped but I did really well. I actually did the day's report so my co-worker who came on at 7 a.m. didn't have to do it. She was so surprised and seemed to be very happy about it.
I'm hoping I get to work tomorrow and Thursday night but I don't know yet. At least I know I can handle it alright. Thanks for all of your suggestions.
I did come back and go to sleep for a while this morning because I knew I had to notarize for someone at 2 and I needed to have a semi-clear head. I'm tired right now and planning to take a brief nap and then go to bed at my regular time.
Thanks again...
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Hmm..well I work late nights mainly 'cause I'ma writer ^_^ (Though now for some reason, no one will buy my articles..which sucks), I've just mainly adjusted to different hours. I sleep a bit during the day and I'm wide awake til around eight or nine in the morning.
Unless you've really great will power I reccomend something with caffiene or sugar to help keep you awake. Not too much, ust a bit every now and again during the night, just enough to keep you awake.
Find something to invest your focus on. Focus can be a very good thing.if you can do that, the time'll fly by quicker and before you know it, it'll be time to go home!
I hope this helps, and good luck!
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Thanks for the suggestions. I really did alright last night and I'm not sure if I'll have to work tomorrow or not but I know I'll be fine.
@faylinn_chaeli (1619)
• Philippines
17 Mar 07
I am planning to try working on a graveyard shift but actually if there is a regular daytime job available, I will stick to it. Changing your body clock is deteriorating to the health.
