Night shift worker need some tips...

[Kzzy]

Hey there. So i've been working night shifts for 3 months in a new job, my schedule is from 00:00am till 08:00am. Sometimes i get home at around 8:30 and sleep till 16:30 or 17:00h and on "busier" days at 9:30am and sleep till 17:00 or 18:00.

I've noticed that im having a rough time having the motivation to wake up at either 17pm or 18pm and go workout and all of a sudden my entire day is gone and there i am going to work again with the feeling i did nothing for my whole day ...So my question is, is it viable for me to arrive home at around 9 am and sleep till 15pm, workout from 16:30pm till like 17:20 or 17:30 be with my family and have dinner at 19:00 and then go to sleep until 00:00am? Or will that be tough af/bad for my overall health and gains?


Thanks!

[MillerTime07]

I worked nights for 3 years so I know your struggle. Except mine were 430pm to 630am. Working nights in general just makes you tired because your body isn't meant to be up at night. What worked for me is to lift right when I got off. Sure, I was dog tired and it sucked. But, once I got to the gym and warmed up, it wasn't bad. There was no way in heck I would be able to pry myself out of bed earlier before work. People who have never worked nights, don't know that struggle. Doing it straight away gets it over with and you can sleep rested knowing you have extra time to spend with family.

[Kzzy]

I worked nights for 3 years so I know your struggle. Except mine were 430pm to 630am. Working nights in general just makes you tired because your body isn't meant to be up at night. What worked for me is to lift right when I got off. Sure, I was dog tired and it sucked. But, once I got to the gym and warmed up, it wasn't bad. There was no way in heck I would be able to pry myself out of bed earlier before work. People who have never worked nights, don't know that struggle. Doing it straight away gets it over with and you can sleep rested knowing you have extra time to spend with family.

Thank you for you answer. Unfortunately my gym is like 12km from where i live, and i've tried but i dont have the mental "clarity" to drive as soon as i get out of work ...

[bigcat3655]

I have a home gym. Not the greatest, but it allows me to work out before work and spend time with the family at the same time

[yoojungl]

Try to work around a schedule that works for you. It might be hard at first, but once you adapt to a habit, it'll get a lot easier

Make sure you're eating enough and fueling yourself~

[pogioli4]

I worked nights for 3 years so I know your struggle. Except mine were 430pm to 630am. Working nights in general just makes you tired because your body isn't meant to be up at night. What worked for me is to lift right when I got off. Sure, I was dog tired and it sucked. But, once I got to the gym and warmed up, it wasn't bad. There was no way in heck I would be able to pry myself out of bed earlier before work. People who have never worked nights, don't know that struggle. Doing it straight away gets it over with and you can sleep rested knowing you have extra time to spend with family.

I 100% agree with working out right after you get off work if you can manage it. I feel your pain though. I had construction going on right outside my apartment the entire time I was working nights. I didn't sleep for sh*t.

[Kzzy]

Dont have an home gym tho..

i guess i'll just have to try it out as i really am unable to workout as i leave work...

[needmoargains]

I worked nights for 4 months . I stopped training legs and was sometimes training a muscle every 10 days . Stay strong till you find something else if you can brother.

[Kzzy]

Will be tough to get used to, but I'll just have to get over it.
Thank you!

[gokitty199]

worked 5pm-5am when i was 17 and would sometimes not be off till 7:30, like the guy above said, lift right when your off work. i couldnt do it i just stopped working out, mine was very labor intensive and i was going the entire time lifting 75-120 pounds worth of applesauce several hundred times carrying them onto a pallet only to run back and fill up another box from the pouch line and repete until i had to move the pallet and repete for 12-14 hours. find another job

[bmelans2]

Hey there. So i've been working night shifts for 3 months in a new job, my schedule is from 00:00am till 08:00am. Sometimes i get home at around 8:30 and sleep till 16:30 or 17:00h and on "busier" days at 9:30am and sleep till 17:00 or 18:00.

I've noticed that im having a rough time having the motivation to wake up at either 17pm or 18pm and go workout and all of a sudden my entire day is gone and there i am going to work again with the feeling i did nothing for my whole day ...So my question is, is it viable for me to arrive home at around 9 am and sleep till 15pm, workout from 16:30pm till like 17:20 or 17:30 be with my family and have dinner at 19:00 and then go to sleep until 00:00am? Or will that be tough af/bad for my overall health and gains?


Thanks!

I worked nights for a few months. AS mentioned before, training right after work is also what worked best for me... and any friends that I have who work or worked nights. Another tip could be to get up 4-5 hours before work, if possible, and shower quick and drink your pre before the gym. This will give you the boost, you'll hit the gym good and the stimulants will help wake you up and keep you awake. You'll probably start burning out around 2-3AM, but I would imagine you're doing that now anyway.