LPT (Request) - How do you guys get through a 5am-3pm shift?

Submitted by opaqueism t3_11z4w0z in LifeProTips

I’m about to start a new job as a van driver for a hotel. nothing fancy, I just needed a job immediately and it was the only place to offer me a job out of the ones I’ve applied for.

I’m wondering how do ya’ll work early morning shifts and how do you get through them?

  • I know sleeping early is a good start but what time would y’all suggest? 8pm, 10pm?

  • Do you stay exhausted during the day and feel dead when you get off or does this eventually stop happening once you do it for a while?

  • How do you feel on your days off? Do you sleep in or keep your wake up schedule consistent?

  • How do you get stuff done? I get it’s not a 9-5 so things will still be open when I get off for two more hours but I have a feeling I’ll be way too tired to do anything after work.

  • Should I nap after work or just wait till 8pm rolls around and call it a night?

and lastly, I do have several medical conditions that require me to go to the drs often. How do I manage that w a full time job? This is my first and being as it’s a busy hotel, I have a feeling getting days off will be a hassle. Would I need to go after 3pm for these appointments?

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gunnsrevenge t1_jdaxnz7 wrote

Get 7-8 hrs of sleep and don’t take regular naps or it will screw up your sleep time. I schedule my dr appts for the end of my shift and give as much notice as possible so that I’m only missing out on maybe the last half hour of work or schedule a zoom appt if possible and take it on your break. The main thing is start on that schedule, stay on that schedule and get sleep. Trust me. I’m trying to get my sleep back in line and it’s a struggle. Also stay off of the the phone at night. … like me lol. Good luck.

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gunnsrevenge t1_jday231 wrote

One more thing- if I go home and sit in front of the tv I’m done for the rest of the day. If you have things to do, take care of them as soon as you get off of your shift. You’ll feel more accomplished and sleep better because if it. Did I mention sleep? Get sleep. You’ll be fine. You’re not the only one working this shift and many work way worse shifts.

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BleedingRaindrops t1_jdaxuxa wrote

I used to be in the military, and that was pretty much the schedule. I usually went to bed at 10pm but I naturally sleep for 6 hours so I could do that. Most guys I knew were in bed by 8 or 9 on work days.

For the most part, you do get used to it. Should take about a week. Maintain your sleep schedule even on days off. If you must sleep in, try to limit it to an hour past your usual time. This will minimize grogginess on your work days.

Don't worry about getting stuff done. The sun will be up, so you'll be awake enough to do something. You won't be a work horse, but you'll accomplish at least one task.

If you're not a morning person, you can always sleep right when you get off work, and then just be awake all night. It sounds weird but I did it for six months when I was overseas. again, you get used to it.

If you have enough time on your midday break, I recommend a 20 minute nap then. even if you don't sleep your brain will appreciate the rest. If you don't have enough time for that, then a nap after work should do the trick, yes.

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As for the Doctor visits, most doctors have appointments available after 3pm if you can book enough in advance. Otherwise, ask your boss before you book the appointment if you can leave early for doctor visits, and be honest with him about how frequent it may be. Most managers are willing to work something out.

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Good luck.

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Dalbergia12 t1_jdayz3g wrote

I worked 12 hour shifts for years. The trick was to do almost no chores on workdays. Sure you need to make meals and a bagged lunch, you might have to wash a sink full of dishes. But no yard work no house work. You get bigger jobs done that you need to, on your days off.

Then because you work longer hours you have more days off, and you use them productively. In short I learned to like long work days, and seized control of my procrastinating habits to my advantage.

You can do 10s if a guy like my me, can enjoy 12s.

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JorgeXMcKie t1_jdb2s0w wrote

I did a 5am to 1:30 for about 3 years. (really 1pm because I took my 1/2 hour lunch at the end of the day) If you're not in bed by 10 you're hosed. 10pm to 4am is only 6 hours, although I'd get up at 3:45 and out the door by 4:20. Some days I'd go to bed at 8:30 and I'd shoot for 9pm as latest so I'd get almost 7 hours.
I liked getting up early on my days off. The farmers markets were a lot less busy at 7am which still gave me time to make some tea and other essentials for Saturday morning...
And Sunday morning walks/rides/drives before everyone gets on the road is nice.
Big tip is don't stay up until late on Friday/Saturday or you're hosed for Monday. Yeah, it means hitting the bar during prime time is challenging, and sports events are recorded. I'd still do concerts and stuff on occasion but I'd take Monday's off sometimes too if I was doing a late weekend to get back in the early swing.

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keepthetips t1_jdaw33k wrote

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Billy0598 t1_jdbjh7p wrote

Podcasts. Audio classes. Lots of sleep planning.

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ChewyRib t1_jddwp21 wrote

  • get 8 hours of sleep and I usually try to keep the same sleep schedule but stay up a little later on weekends

  • get blackout curtains, it really helps

  • I have a vacuum sealer and preapare all my meals for the week on the weekend. When I get home, just pop dinner in the microwave

  • Get cleaning and other chores done on the weekend

  • Naps never help me and actually make me more tired. Naps will disrupt your sleep cycle

  • You will get use to the time changes after a week or so.

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frustratedtx2021 t1_jdt46cv wrote

Naps are super helpful for some, awful for others. Try both for at least 3 days each. Decide what works for you

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mickdunnafin t1_jdb4jcm wrote

(Due to the nationwide Adderall shortage) I am currently utilizing meth

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