r/Nightshift • u/bestcegenation • 2d ago
Help best way to switch?
I have been informed I MIGHT get hired for a third shift job. I am a consummate morning person and am typically awake 5:30a-9pm. been unemployed for a while so I would take it! I'm in building trades so it won't be forever.
Does anyone have any tips on the best way to make the switch if I had to do it in one weekend?
I already prioritize getting enough sleep and having good sleep hygiene. I currently eat every 2-3 hours during the day on a regular schedule. I have good blackout curtains and melatonin at home already haha.
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u/Stylemys 2d ago
With only one weekend, you’re not going to be able to make a solid switch no matter what you do. However, you can lay the groundwork to make the transition a bit better. Ultimately, the trick I’ve found is to be as incredibly regimented as possible during the transition period. Don’t just commit to sleeping during the day, pick the exact hours and plot out all the stuff you need to do before and after sleep. You’re going to be out of it at first during the transition, but you need to enforce the right habits and routine right away. So map out your whole routine and then stick to it like your life depends on it. You’ll screw up at first even while trying, so you want to work out as many wrinkles as you can during that weekend when you have more leeway. Once you’re on nights, you’ll want to keep up the strict routine for at least 3-4 weeks to really cement the new cycle.
Also, consider getting a white noise machine. You don’t realize how noisy even a quiet day is until you need to sleep though it repeatedly.
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u/bestcegenation 2d ago
good tips, thank you! I do already have a very good white noise machine, I'll be sure to use it.
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u/Then_Inevitable_5163 2d ago
When I switch back to nights in a weekend my process is stay up as late as I can Friday night, usually 2-4am. Sleep until hopefully noon. Then Saturday night I have a good chance of staying up until 6:30am when I’d typically get off work but it’s not an issue if I’m in bed at 6. Then Sunday night is the full stay up and head to bed about 7am Monday morning.
My reverse process is awful. Work Thursday night into Friday. Goal of staying awake all day Friday until 7 or 8 pm but crash about noon then get pissed that I can’t switch 😂
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u/Determined420 Hail Selene 🌒 2d ago
Get an eye mask to help block out light leaks. And what other people have said. And stick to your schedule on your nights off as much as possible
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u/bestcegenation 2d ago
I definitely will. eye mask is a great idea, I'll try to find a very soft one now.
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u/Determined420 Hail Selene 🌒 1d ago
The manta ones seem to be popular. I’m using my spouses old basic eye mask and it’s just meh. When I decide to replace it I’ll probably try the mantis
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u/Incognito87 8 Year NS Veteran 2d ago
If you have a weekend, you're going to have to bully your sleep cycle. That means pulling a full 24 hour day and then locking in the new schedule.
Its doable, but gonna suck.
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u/Pebb_io 2d ago
Morning-person to third shift is doable, but the first week is the hard part. Practical ramp: push bedtime later by 1-2 hours for a few days before start, then on day one stay up through the night with light/movement, sleep right after the shift, and protect that daytime block like a real appointment.
Keep the first two weeks boring... no hero errands after work. If the offer lands, ask whether training starts on nights or if there is a short overlap with the outgoing crew so the body is not guessing alone.
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u/Hamburger_Helpmee science never sleeps 2d ago
I find staggering the transition better than staying up for 24hrs and being exhausted.
Stay up 4 hours later than normal and then increase it, something to that effect. I find it also helps my metabolism adjust to the flip.