anyone work nightshift? how does it affect your body

[roventu]

was wondering if anyone has experience with handling a job during night shift + trying to work out and if their body changes a lot because of it

read a few studies, but many of them include rotational shift work (day AND night shifts) and the job offer I have is night shift only

some cited health risks mentioned were higher blood pressure, sleep problems/insomnia, and digestive problems. has anyone experienced this?

 

[NurseKnuckles]

I blame the rotational shifts that my wife does on my issues all the time.

 

[OneToughCookie]

I work Nightshifts 3 nights a week 11pm-7am, just get lots of sleep prior to your shift and eat well, I have had breathing problems in the past but that was due to anxiety, nothing really serious.

 

[SexyMahnaz]

I work nights about 80% of the time, but it's cushy. Considering I have absolutely no stress I think my body's in better shape than when I worked 9-5 in a busy environment. I'm at work right now.

It's only a problem when I wake up to darkness - then I really feel off. But falling asleep in my dark room @ 7amish, then waking up to the sunshine @ 2-3pm is fine for me. Make getting sunshine a priority

 

[legendtony]

I was on nights for 25 years. It wasn't until I went to day shift that the problems you mentioned happened to me.

 

[MTT]

I work nights only and I feel great in every regard. Sleep at a consistent time and block out all light and noise when you do sleep. I've found going to bed when I get home (6 am) and sleeping until 1-2pm is a better system than waking right before going into work. At least it is easier for me to keep that routine.

 

[InertiaTraining]

Consistent nights shouldn't be any different really, as people in this thread are attesting to. I work late only on friday/saturday nights, during the week I work another job that sometimes has early starts. It kinda sucks, my body doesn't get used to anything so my sleep is very erratic and I often don't get enough.

It's definitely not ideal. I've been considering importing some melatonin (it's illegal in the UK) just to make sure I get enough sleep on the weekends.

 

[SuperiorHands]

It's not the night shift itself as much as not have a routine. I used to work 11-7am, lift for 8 am, sleep for 10, than get back up 6 or 7pm.

Never had a problem as long as I stuck to the routine.

 

[MMouse]

was wondering if anyone has experience with handling a job during night shift + trying to work out and if their body changes a lot because of it

read a few studies, but many of them include rotational shift work (day AND night shifts) and the job offer I have is night shift only

some cited health risks mentioned were higher blood pressure, sleep problems/insomnia, and digestive problems. has anyone experienced this?

You get used to it. Training partner of mine does it and has 3 kids to look after. Hes also an amateur fighter.

Goodluck op

 

[Aldo145]

I work rotating shifts. Once your body get used to the sleep schedule its not that bad really.

 

[deadshot138]

I work 3rd shift and I'm the strongest I've ever been. I sleep from 8am-2pm, train, and go about my day.

 

[XxanaxX]

It can be a bit difficult to make the transition if you've been working a conventional day shift. Just make sure to keep your room cool and dark during the daytime hours, your new time for rest, and supplement with a little vitamin D to keep your levels up. You'll get good and tired during the first week or so while you adapt, but it gets better.

 

[cincymma79]

I work 7 to 7. I make decent gains. It does suck sometimes if your gym isn't 24 hours

 

[LuchaBear]

Did it for 7 years and barely ever seen the sun. If you can't get at least 20 minutes in the sun every day then you need to take a vitamin D supplement.

 

[TKing]

Used to work 4-4 at a dairy factory, as all have said first couple weeks were very tough but it got much easier. I actually quit using preworkout and drinking caffeine after a bit at that job and I felt much better.

I was probably in the best shape of my life when I worked that shift, I had to be more dedicated and strict on my workouts and meals because of the hours. I went to an office job 8-5 and I'm trying to get back on track.

 

[Ice 9 Cobra]

Like others are saying, caffeine hurts you in the long run for the shift.

I also found that continuing my schedule even on off days kept me from being groggy. I don't understand how people can do graves five days then sleep standard hours two days.

 

[roventu]

ok good, I cut out coffee years ago, i occasionally have green tea 3x a week though.

Thanks for all the responses, im glad to see there's a lot of ppl that do nightshift, thought it'd be a rare thing cz I dont know anyone else that does night shifts (other than nurses)

 

[dat1978]

I was on nights for 25 years. It wasn't until I went to day shift that the problems you mentioned happened to me.

I work nights only and I feel great in every regard. Sleep at a consistent time and block out all light and noise when you do sleep. I've found going to bed when I get home (6 am) and sleeping until 1-2pm is a better system than waking right before going into work. At least it is easier for me to keep that routine.

Consistent nights shouldn't be any different really, as people in this thread are attesting to. I work late only on friday/saturday nights, during the week I work another job that sometimes has early starts. It kinda sucks, my body doesn't get used to anything so my sleep is very erratic and I often don't get enough.

It's definitely not ideal. I've been considering importing some melatonin (it's illegal in the UK) just to make sure I get enough sleep on the weekends.

It's not the night shift itself as much as not have a routine. I used to work 11-7am, lift for 8 am, sleep for 10, than get back up 6 or 7pm.

Never had a problem as long as I stuck to the routine.

pretty much all of the above. i've worked 630 pm to 7 am for the last 7 years. its all about the routine. i stay with more or less the same schedule on my off days so i feel fine. i might go to sleep and wake up 2 hours earlier on my off days so i can experience more of the daytime, run errands, etc.

the times where i will experience things like insomnia is when i force myself to sleep with sleeping pills because i HAVE to be up early for something. examples would be hiking during the summer or snowboarding during the winter. maybe a doctor or dentist appointment here and there.

luckily my closest friends are mostly night shifters also so we can all hang out regularly without messing each others schedules up. if that's not the case then it can be brutal having a social life.

 

[Grrrr]

I work rotating shifts. Once your body get used to the sleep schedule its not that bad really.

Rotating shift worker here also. 12 hr shifts. 2 days then 2 nights. Married with 2 boys ages 10 & 12 that are in football, wrestling, and bjj. Having a family that is active in sports adds more to the equation but we make it work. I haven't missed any of their games or matches in 5 years and still make time to go lift 4 times a week. It is absolutely difficult sometimes. There have been more times than I can count that I have slept in the corner of a gym, on bleachers, or in the car in between games or matches. I try to make up sleep on my days off and when the boys are at school.

 

[Genghiz]

Worked nightshift a few years ago, I did feel a residual tiredness on my days off, but nothing that overly affected my training. Age probably makes a difference though, probably harder to manage for older guys, with kids, etc.

The key for me was heavy curtains/blinds, and lots of white noise in my bedroom. I had wooden blinds, and curtains over top of those. I wouldn't know if it was night or day when those things were shut.

Having an undisturbed sleep made things a lot more manageable.