Thread: suggestions for working graveyards...

Returning for the part 2 of my 'wet blanket' post:

Bruno's right about reaction times, but in fact messing with your natural circadian rhythms like that affects pretty much every system of the body negatively. Ask an endocrinologist about it.

The thing is, it *can* be done. If graveyard shifts are the only job one can get, or if hard economic times necessitate taking a second job at night, then you do what you have to do. It's a big price to pay for a hobby, though, and if you're seriously considering trying to compete at your best in an extremely physical sport, handicapping your health from jump is a bad approach, imo.

I'm a retired law enforcement officer, so, graves/morning watch...whatever you want to call it is something that I am very familiar with. I don't know if I was born nocturnal or if I simply turned that way, but, with that said, I will agree with many of the previous comments. Most of the world is 9-5, so to speak, so for a relationship, family life, etc., you will be at odds...that said...here is a couple of thoughts:

1. Get a Fan, a large fan that puts out that "white noise" that drowns out people walking, doors shutting, phones, cars, lawn mowers...I still sleep with one, summer and winter just for the noise.

2. Dark...good shades curtains/whatever it takes for consistant dark.

3. Sleep cool...you'll sleep better.

4. Forget the coffee/caffiene during working hours or you'll be jacked after shift.

5. Whatever your shift, (off at 5:00/6/7), sleep your 6-8 and get outside for the air and sun...as alot of people work inside, in some ways, you may even get more outside time than people working more traditional hours, but, I feel it is good for the soul, so to speak...working nites, hitting the sack and then hanging out in the house for a few hours and you'll become a mole.

Whatever, good luck with your course/interest!

I've been doing hotel night audit work going on 10 years now. I rather like it, except for the occasional drunk or crazy. Usually it's quiet & I can study lines for plays I'm performing in or just reading. Saw a great definition of a hotel night auditor, "An incompetent, lazy person who has job security because no one wants to work his hours."