Is working nights really bad

[Foxes157]

I have an opportunity to work night shifts, it'll be a bit more money and a shorter working week.

Currently I have a short commute and although I start early, I'm home for when the kids get home.

I think of all the things I could do with the extra time. Is it worth considering?

I work nights, the only problem i find is the sleeping during the day. Only done nights for nearly 2 yrs, in that time i have only called in sick once. I am hardly ever ill, i literally need to be dying before i go off sick. I work as a senior carer, in a dementia home 3-4 nights a week. The worst time of night is between 3 and 5 for me, i have to keep myself busy. When i sleep in the day, im lucky if i get 4 hours sleep. Plays havoc when you have 3 nights in a row.

I worked nights for 5 years and loved it. I am a night owl, and found it much less hard than getting up at crack of dawn - I worked 7 on and 7 off, so had a week off in which to recover and sort out the rest of my life, which I found helpful. I could sleep ok in the day though, and had teenage self-propelling kids

I’ve been expected to do nights as part of my career (nurse). Some people love them, some hate them. I was in the latter category, hated leaving my bed, feeling tired all the time, not sleeping properly, erratic food consumption. Things that helped included a sign on the door saying ‘Do not disturb, night working sleeping’, Black out blinds, I used to stay up til about 10, I’d shower, eat breakfast, watch Tv until I couldn’t stay awake any longer. I’m glad my current job doesn’t require nights!

Messes with my mental health. I hate it . I was very ill with them on continental shifts. If my work goes back to them I'll have to leave.

I work trebles, so every 3rd week I do them, it's slightly more manageable but I've found some people either love them or hate them.

One of the problem with nights is other people not understanding you’ve worked all night and still expecting you to be up and about during the day.

I did, for a year. Just back to work on phased return, now on days. I won’t be going back to nights. I’m much happier on days.

At the time, I also worked as a tutor in private FE education I was delirious due to lack of sleep.
The money is good but, as I’m sure many PP have already mentioned (haven’t rtft), not worth the detriment to one’s health, especially if you have younger children - my youngest is 12.

I've been on a rotating 24 hour shift pattern for the last 6 years, nights are my favourite and I would do them permanently if I could, it's the mornings that kill me!

I've always been a natural night owl anyway and any time I've been off work I naturally slip into night time hours anyway so it suits me fine. I have a lot more energy than in my last job which was standard 9 - 5 hours.

The best tip I can give is move your meals to fit the hours you're awake so you get energy when you need it - on a 10 - 7 shift I get up about 4 - 5pm, have my first meal at 7-8pm before I start, then another meal at 12am, healthy snack at about 2-3am and another meal at 5am. I go to bed at 9am unless it's my last one then I sometimes stay up a bit!