Hey Guys.
I’m starting a new job this summer (I’m in Australia), and every week my shift will change.
1st week. 7am to 3pm
2nd week. 3pm to 11pm
3d week 11pm to 7 am… and so on until the end of april.
Does anyone else do night shifts on a continuous basis? Any advise?
During the night shift I think I will be able to sleep and do one training session (while not working), but in theory, I have some days that are two sessions per day, and I’m not sure how to handle that…I have thought about doing both sessions at the same time, but I’m afraid that will leave me wasted for my actual job…
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
That’s a ridiculous schedule. Your body will never adjust, as everything is always changing. I’ve worked nights for years, currently I work 430p-230a. It’s not a bad schedule, I’m usually in bed by 330 and up by 11. Four days on, three off. When transitioning from days to overnights, it usually takes about 6 weeks for me to really adjust. Going the other way, from nights to days, is much quicker. Just about everyone I’ve talked with about working nights says the same thing, except for those who are unable to ever fully adjust to working nights.
What kind of job requires you to switch shifts on a weekly basis? Are you a resident?
I have no advice, other than good luck.
AMBIEN!
For 8 months I worked shift work, 6 days on, 3 days off, the hours shifted by 6 every 9 days. It was AWFUL. I used Ambien a lot and focused most of my workouts in the 3 days I was off. I was in the worst shape of my life that entire time.
I’m on a student visa, and the job is winemaking at vintage.
It sort of sucks. I guess if I could choose I’d choose 7am to 3pm. Tomorrow is my first day and I guess they’ll let me know if I have any options to choose a particular shift.
Thanks again.
In the nuclear power industry, all of the operators are on that exact schedule, and they do it for years on end (by the way, it’s called a “northern swing rotating shift”, “southern swing” goes in the reverse order and is harder on the body). You will actually get used to it, but the 2nd day on any given shift will always be the toughest for you. Put a dark/heavy blanket over the windows in your bedroom to block out the light. Also get in the habit of sleeping right after you get done with work, no exceptions, then get up and do your workouts before you go to work. Avoid coffee during the second 1/2 of your shift, no matter how tired you are or you’ll never be able to sleep. I know several folks that having been doing this for 20 years and still manage to train for HIM’s.
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Okay. Hopefully they will let you choose (or assign you) a shift and you can stick with it semi-permanently. I guess i don’t see why one would have to change every week to make wine? But then I just drink the stuff.
And by resident, I meant medical resident (MD in training). Those poor saps have truly miserable schedules.
great advice! thanks
No Doctor here =).
Its a big winery, so there is a lot of grapes to crush, about 15-20,000 tons expected this year. With grapes arriving mostly at dawn to keep them cool.
I thought this winery was big, but I just heard of another winery in the next town, that crushes about 200,000 tons!
Night shifts are tough but if you are disciplined you can get all your workouts in. I am a medical practitioner myself and work 12hr night shifts 7pm-7:30am and have done IM the past two years. I swim after a night shift three times a week and then will wake up early and either run or bike. My days off (or first night shift back to work) I will do long rides/run. If I have a long ride/run scheduled, I will sometimes opt out of the swim, go straight to bed, and wake up early to ride/run. I usually fit in 3 swims, 3-4 bikes, 3-4 runs and a couple of yoga classes on a crazy work schedule where I will sometimes only get one night off a week. So its do-able! Just make sure when you sleep your room is dark, or, wear eye covers!