Hi @sunshineandsummer44. I work shifts, and have done for 24 years.
The advantages are:
Being able to book appointments without taking time off
Going to the supermarket at quiet times
Actually spending more time with loved ones midweek
And I get paid an enhanced salary.
The negatives are.
You miss a lot of family events unless you can swap shifts with someone
Yes, you get tired
You might gain weight because you get too tired to exercise (common in my job)
Your diet might be affected (snack more, relying more on convenience food)
I think unless you are getting an enhanced salary and good holiday benefits, and are getting at least two days between a shift change, it’s not worth it and you will burn out quickly.
Everyone has a different strategy for coping with shift work, especially night shifts. I’ve just come off a night shift. I’ll go home, have water and porridge, sit around for an hour, then flop into bed. I average four hours sleep before I wake up like the Duracell bunny. But some of my colleagues don’t go to sleep until lunchtime, or the afternoon. I try not to eat too many carbs to avoid heartburn. On the last night I get home, breakfast, bed, and I set an alarm for midday, get up then, push through then flop into bed about ten pm. You just have to find your routine.