Anyone work the night shift?

[Infiknite]

Has anyone worked the night shift and still continued to make gains/stay sane? Starting a new job and never thought I'd have to work night shift, but in healthcare that's almost unavoidable.
Not sure if I should try and switch back on a day schedule on my off days or stay nocturnal.
Any tips appreciated.

 

[cheftepesh1]

I have done night shifts as well as for the last 26 years worked a ever changing schedule. Honestly after a little while you get used to it. When I worked the night shift, I would sleep a few hours when I got home, then do what I had to and the take a late nap. It seemed to worm for me.

 

[fitwitlit]

Yep. Consistency and planning just like day shifts....always prioritizing sleep as well. I have to get 7 hours minimum... I work 12 hr shifts and cluster my shifts all together and usually only train on off days, which is bout 4 days of the week. I minimize eating on night shift also to avoid disruption to circadian rhythms and usually intermittent fast. I Take melatonin and b6 religiously to also help with maintaining sleep schedule. My nightshift cocktail is usually: 9mg melatonin, 75mg diphenhydramine, 50mg trazadone, 2 valerian root, 5kius vit D3, 15mg zinc all taken with st least 75grams carbs before bed..I sleep like baby and never wake groggy. All these things I do help alot with quicker results on nights.

 

[Renew1]

I used to work night shift. And for a year, I worked an ever-changing schedule, with extra overtime.

Night shift, Id just make it work.

Swing shift+, I'd just fit in workouts whenever I could.

.... But the sleep was awful.
I final went to a Dr, to see if there was anything he could give me to help sleep.
I think he did give me something mild ....
But he said, "Man, you just have to change jobs".

I agreed

 

[Renew1]

I used to work night shift. And for a year, I worked an ever-changing schedule, with extra overtime.

Night shift, Id just make it work.

Swing shift+, I'd just fit in workouts whenever I could.

.... But the sleep was awful.
I final went to a Dr, to see if there was anything he could give me to help sleep.
I think he did give me something mild ....
But he said, "Man, you just have to change jobs".

I agreed

BTW, working the "swing shift+", I was the most cut-up I've ever been.
But I lost a good bit of mass, which I Didn't like.

 

[rob112]

Did for about 2 years to get in current place. During the week was honestly no problem for me. Weekend with the family was rough because to get to a semi normal weekend with them I severely deprived myself of sleep.

Mon-Thurs sleep 6-8 hours
Friday morning nap 3 hours max then sleep Friday night. Usually wake up odd times.
Saturday try to sleep normal.
Sunday nap before work about 4 hours. Only day tired while working.

If not family or social life I honestly think it would be relatively easy. Trying to maintain any semblance of normal weekend life was pretty hard. It was worth it to get my foot in the door, and now no longer on that shift.

 

[Rocket3015]

I worked swing shifts for years, you get used to it. On night shift I would get off at 7am, myself and 2 other guys would head to the gym and get our work outs in than. Head home eat a meal get a shower and head to bed.