how do you adjust to midnights????

[intoit10]

I started a new job working midnights and it screwing everything up! my sleep is whats killing me the most! one day I will feel good in the morning when I get home and I won't sleep, then I am knocked down for 2 days! my desire for food is gone. I at least try to get shakes in at work and eat at home but things just aren't right! missing workouts because of a slow healing hip injury and my all around mood just sucks! any advice to get back on track? thanks

[AdamTheStud]

You could try sticking to a schedule, i.e. cardio at a certain time each day, and lifting at a certain time each day, and make sure to get at least 5 meals in, eventually your body will adjust

[deeznuts1972]

Took me a good 3-4 weeks before I got into the swing of things on the night shift. Even if you had no sleep the night before try and do some exercise to wear yourself out even more. Get some Blackout Shades. My toughest thing was I woud still wake up relatively early cuz it was bright in my room. Shades were a Godsend. Try some Alluna (herbal sleep aid) if your still having probs, just don't use more than 5-7 days in a row. Remember your body is conditioned for Day means awake Night asleep. It's not going to adapt immediatly. Hope this helps.

djdizzy

[Iron Jay]

Originally Posted by deeznuts1972

Took me a good 3-4 weeks before I got into the swing of things on the night shift. Even if you had no sleep the night before try and do some exercise to wear yourself out even more. Get some Blackout Shades. My toughest thing was I woud still wake up relatively early cuz it was bright in my room. Shades were a Godsend. Try some Alluna (herbal sleep aid) if your still having probs, just don't use more than 5-7 days in a row. Remember your body is conditioned for Day means awake Night asleep. It's not going to adapt immediatly. Hope this helps.

djdizzy

yea, it will take some time...My roommate works shift work so his schedule will go from mornings to midnights and its all F'ed up...WHat I would do would be to workout before going to work..THat way you will be tired when you get home in the morning and won't have to worry about training and you can sleep as long as you need...

[jago25_98]

It's not easy.

I would like to say you get used to it. However, I'm afraid that for me I found that things were fine for about 6 weeks and then after that I lost energy. I decided to quit after 4 months when things got tuff during the summer. Motivation took a hit. Having said this I'd still do it short-term.

One workmate lost about a stone in a matter of weeks but I think after a while it can be easier to put it on.

However there is some info I can give you:

- Light. Try to avoid staying up into the stay (obviously). Use really bright lights at night.

- Vitamin C. They say lack of sunlight diminishes it. Oranges are one source

- Eating. I read that rather than light being the thing that your body clock follows, that when you eat is a bigger influence.

- Sleep during lunch if possible. The human body really wants to sleep twice a day; one big one at night and a nap in the afternoon - that's why you feel tired around 2ish. - Hence the Siesta in hot climates. If I was management I'd consolidate breaks into one... unfortunately very few people know how to handle working nights properly; I only know one person who's done it for more than 4 years.

[sc redneck]

I Worked Midnight For Many Years,,all I Did Was Work And Sleep. The Best Time To Hit Your Work Out Will Be After Work. If You Try To Work Out After Your Sleep It Will Be A Very Poor Work Out. You Feel Like Shit And You Are Also Very Weak When You Wake Up, Hang In There Bro It Will Get Better. Dont Forget The Black Trash Bags On The Windows,,,,,,,,,

[BigPooka]

Originally Posted by sc redneck

I Worked Midnight For Many Years,,all I Did Was Work And Sleep. The Best Time To Hit Your Work Out Will Be After Work. If You Try To Work Out After Your Sleep It Will Be A Very Poor Work Out. You Feel Like Shit And You Are Also Very Weak When You Wake Up, Hang In There Bro It Will Get Better. Dont Forget The Black Trash Bags On The Windows,,,,,,,,,

Well I can attest that working at night is difficult to get used to. I am 30 and have worked 11pm-7am for the last 12 years. You need to keep your room dark and keep your schedual to make it easier. I feel great most of the time. What I did is use alumnium foil to cover the inside of my bedroom windows(makes it nice and dark). When I get home in the morning I eat a small amount and take a shower and go straight to bed- try not to stay up or it will mess you up. Also on the weekends I try to keep the same schedual and not revert back to day shift hours and it works pretty well. I sleep well and am not tired. Good luck to you and if u have any more questions drop me a pm and Ill try to answer them.

[nightcrew213]

I also have worked 3rd shift (10pm-8am) for about 13 years.As soon as I get home I lift then eat and then stay up till around 1pm.Try some valerian root or melatonin for your sleepDo what the other guys said and keep your bedroom dark.

[Turbo1]

I'm tryting to adjust to 3rd shift as well 10pm till 6 am and not working too good. First week on it was great but last 3 have been horrible. I feel tired all the time and no drive to do anything. Like you guys said get on a schedule. Granted i'm trying but not with any luck..granted i'm fucking it up today cause i'm staying up all day. Hell i'm tired as fuck now and still got a good 12 hours to go...this should be fun.

[bearze34]

Originally Posted by intoit10

I started a new job working midnights and it screwing everything up! my sleep is whats killing me the most! one day I will feel good in the morning when I get home and I won't sleep, then I am knocked down for 2 days! my desire for food is gone. I at least try to get shakes in at work and eat at home but things just aren't right! missing workouts because of a slow healing hip injury and my all around mood just sucks! any advice to get back on track? thanks

I work rotating shifts and trust me when i tell you that you never get used to it. You may adapt, but it never quite feels normal.