Brettbrett21 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 436 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 days ago) and read 2817 times:
Hello all
Just wondering if anyone out there works night shift.
I've been working nights now for just over a month and I seem to be taking to it ok. It's a bit tought to get back into a good sleeping pattern but you just need discipline!
Anyway, as most of my friends work ''normal'' shifts I usually don't have much to do during my days off when they fall outside of the weekend.
I'm going to start going gym more often as well as jogging and swimming to maintain my health. I also read a lot of aviation related stuff, play FS and watch a good deal of TV!
Does anyone have any good ideas for making the most of days off when no one else is around?
STLGph From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8981 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2801 times:
Well, I usually get between 3 or 4 days off per week, plus when I started this job I was moving to a whole other city altogether to base myself out of. You'll actually be quite amazed at the things you can find to do when the "rest of the world is working." There's lots of people out there floating around doing god knows what. I've never had a problem, on my end, at least of filling the time. But first and foremost -- enjoy it!
Eternal darkness we all should dread. It's hard to party when you're dead.
JetMech From Australia, joined Mar 2006, 2588 posts, RR: 53 Reply 2, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2801 times:
Quoting Brettbrett21 (Thread starter): Does anyone have any good ideas for making the most of days off when no one else is around?
If you have a few days off in a row, I suggest that you either start a second business on the side, a long term project, or do some sort of education course. I used to do two 12 hour day shifts from 6 AM - 6 PM, followed by two night shifts from 6 PM - 6AM, followed by five days off when I was working in line maintenance. I never had any issues with the night shift, but I did find it extremely hard to get back into a "normal" cycle. About the only thing I did do was go to the gym and surf the net. I now realise how much more constructive I could have been with my time off.
Regards, JetMech
JetMech split the back of his pants. He can feel the wind in his hair.
Quoting Brettbrett21 (Thread starter): Anyway, as most of my friends work ''normal'' shifts I usually don't have much to do during my days off when they fall outside of the weekend
Quoting Brettbrett21 (Thread starter): Does anyone have any good ideas for making the most of days off when no one else is around
I work 5 Nights/Week from last 11 years continously in Maintenance.Its tough at times especially if one has not rested enough after a previous night shift.
Since I use the Computer to Study my notes or browse MBF.com,I frequently browse the net too.
The solution is quite simple.Rest well [6-8 hrs,ideal 10],Excercise 5 times/week,one hr a day.
Since all my friends work days.I can't attend their get togethers except on Sundays.
I make sure I Enjoy the weekends.If managed well ,one can get a lot of personal work done in the day.
Depending on the time at hand.You could pursue a hobby or learn some computer programmes,depending on your Interests.If time permits add to your existing qualification.
MCOflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 8553 posts, RR: 14 Reply 4, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2778 times:
Quoting Brettbrett21 (Thread starter):
I'm going to start going gym more often as well as jogging and swimming to maintain my health. I also read a lot of aviation related stuff, play FS and watch a good deal of TV!
Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 3):
I make sure I Enjoy the weekends.If managed well ,one can get a lot of personal work done in the day.
I used to work nights and will attest to the above. Also try going to clubs.
Overlander From Ireland, joined Aug 2005, 150 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2767 times:
Hello Brettbrett21,
Your profile states that your hobbies are : 'travelling, football, DJ'in, aviation'
Well, you can probably jump on a plane some time during the week at Luton and visit a place where you can get all of these and come back and tell your friends about your travels.
One piece of advice from shift worker, you will never convince yourself to sleep. Take a book to read or even listen to the radio, the last thing you need to do is to discipline yourself you have to sleep. It may sound twee, but also go to sleep with a good heart.
All the best,
Overlander
It is better to travel hopefully.............but, always be prepared for the worst!
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58 Reply 7, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 2746 times:
Quoting Overlander (Reply 5): One piece of advice from shift worker, you will never convince yourself to sleep
Especially if you are thinking of an Important job to be done.
I read a real tough Civil Aviation Regulations book.Its a Win-Win situation.Either I'm too bored after a few pages & rest or end up reading the book.
Brettbrett21 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 436 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2718 times:
Your profile states that your hobbies are : 'travelling, football, DJ'in, aviation'
Well, you can probably jump on a plane some time during the week at Luton and visit a place where you can get all of these and come back and tell your friends about your travels.
I'm going to get my company travel codes this weekend for EZY so I will actually be doing this an awful lot!! Only trouble is I live on quite a strict budget while I'm saving up as much money as possible for flight school.
Quoting 767Lover (Reply 6): You could do volunteer work. There are a ton of organizations that need help of various kinds. It sounds like you are an ideal candidate.
That is a quality idea, I'm going to look into this.
CO7e7 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 2848 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2713 times:
I work 8pm to 4am Tuesday - Saturday. In other words, i work nights and weekends!!!
I like working nights because i have all "the day" to do whatever i want. I can sleep in or wake up early and keep myself busy.... what sucks about it is i don't get to see my fiancee a lot. She works Mon-Fri (8am to 5pm)... so the only time we can spend time together is on Sundays. And that doesn't happen during football season... because i go to all Cleveland Browns home games
Quoting JetMech (Reply 2): do some sort of education course
This, in fact, is the best thing to do. I'm working on my Masters degree part time. I take 2 classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
KaiGywer From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 12028 posts, RR: 43 Reply 10, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2712 times:
If you work the overnight, you can sleep during the "normal" working hours. That way you'll be awake in the afternoon, and your friends will be off work.
CaptOveur From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2655 times:
I work nights.
the best part is, aside from maybe your immediate supervisor, there aren't too many bosses around. This is great because of the tremendous freedom it gives you. that reason alone is why I don't really want to go back to the normal working world when I graduate. Also, rush hour traffic is usually going the opposite direction in the morning.
As far as having a life. I simply make an effort to go to bed immedately upon getting home from work, this allows me to wake up around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, have a normal evening, and leave for work as everyone is going to bed.
I work for a university so I have access to workout facilities, a library, pretty much all the comforts of home when nobody is around. Which is nice. I do reccomend being in good physical shape working midnights, it minimizes the amount of sleep your body needs. there will be days where you will have to fight to get 2 hours of sleep. Also, make sure your bedroom is really blacked out so you don't have to fight to go to sleep.
Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 21 Reply 12, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2651 times:
don't pull nightshift myself (I DO pull some allnighters, but that's just working 24 hours straight...).
But my niece does (working as a nurse).
Usually she spends her time off after pulling nightshift sleeping and resting. Of course her workdays/nights are not your regular 8 hours on, 16 hours off that most people have. Working 12-16 hour nights for a week or more can be exhausting when your family aren't the quietest people.
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58 Reply 13, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 2634 times:
Recently most of my collegues are actually quitting Night shifts in Mx for Day duties,citing inability to manage things due lack of sleep.
With the rains around the corner,It gets quite tough in Line Mx at night.
regds
MEL
Overlander From Ireland, joined Aug 2005, 150 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 2613 times:
Quoting Brettbrett21 (Reply 8): I'm going to get my company travel codes this weekend for EZY so I will actually be doing this an awful lot!! Only trouble is I live on quite a strict budget while I'm saving up as much money as possible for flight school
Good for you Brettbrett21,
You are obviously a hard working young man.
Shift work always pays premium hours and although you are making some sacrifices now, it will allow you some freedom in the future to make some choices.
All the best.
Overlander
It is better to travel hopefully.............but, always be prepared for the worst!
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58 Reply 15, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 2596 times:
Quoting Overlander (Reply 14): Shift work always pays premium hours and although you are making some sacrifices now, it will allow you some freedom in the future to make some choices
True.
Sacrifice for your Target & the Rewards are Lots.
regds
MEL
TheCol From Canada, joined Jan 2007, 2010 posts, RR: 6 Reply 16, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2568 times:
The trick to surviving night shifts is to keep your body and mind in good condition:
- Eat Right (3 meals a day, limit the crap food and alcohol, no drugs)
- Stay in Shape (Get your daily exercise, the worst thing to do is sleep all day)
- Stay Clean (Good hygiene is a must)
- Keep Yourself Occupied (Do your daily errands, spend time with the family or friends)
- Stay Sharp (exercise your brain, a lazy mind will affect the rest of your body)
No matter how random things may appear, there's always a plan.
Overlander From Ireland, joined Aug 2005, 150 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2560 times:
Quoting TheCol (Reply 16): The trick to surviving night shifts is to keep your body and mind in good condition:
- Eat Right (3 meals a day, limit the crap food and alcohol, no drugs)
- Stay in Shape (Get your daily exercise, the worst thing to do is sleep all day)
- Stay Clean (Good hygiene is a must)
- Keep Yourself Occupied (Do your daily errands, spend time with the family or friends)
- Stay Sharp (exercise your brain, a lazy mind will affect the rest of your body)
Oh dear, time for me give up the shifts.
At least I have a couple of the things above right, although I might add one thing to the list. Never take life so seriously, after all you are only a carbon based life form.
It is better to travel hopefully.............but, always be prepared for the worst!
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58 Reply 18, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2527 times:
Quoting TheCol (Reply 16): The trick to surviving night shifts is to keep your body and mind in good condition:
- Eat Right (3 meals a day, limit the crap food and alcohol, no drugs)
- Stay in Shape (Get your daily exercise, the worst thing to do is sleep all day)
- Stay Clean (Good hygiene is a must)
- Keep Yourself Occupied (Do your daily errands, spend time with the family or friends)
- Stay Sharp (exercise your brain, a lazy mind will affect the rest of your body)
I agree to most.....But I eat Two meals a day & Exercise on Alternate days.
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