To wonder why people would choose to work night shifts

[Whythough6666]

Surely it’s much better for the body to work day shifts and doesn’t the body shut down at night usually like urine production stops etc

Obvious reasons. You earn a lot more, especially nights on the weekends. Some people may choose same money but that can then be achieved with less shifts. Better for childcare. DH and I managed to both work full time without having to pay for childcare, except when they needed preschool prep for school for their own benefit.

In my case it was also easier to get ahead doing nights as the majority for the first half of my career, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve it as quickly if only on nights sporadically when rostered.

Not always more money if you work in the care sector same rate night or day

I used to earn a much higher rate for doing a night; enough to allow me a couple of extra week days off (single parent) if I did a Saturday night.

Those days are long gone, now though.

I did night duty for many years, over the time that my children were at school. It was ideal - I was home during the day and my DH was home at night. We were a good team and the kids never missed out on anything.

Night duty is great ! I don't know where you get your ideas about it - your body works just he same at night, as it does during the day. It is quieter at night, none of the bosses are there, in general you get your work done more easily than during the day.

doesn’t the body shut down at night usually like urine production stops etc Nope ! What an odd idea, of course you don't stop urinating at night. You just sleep at a different time from other people, that's all .

Urine production only sleeps when you reach a certain level of deep sleep. If you're awake, eating, and drinking as you would in the day your body works exactly the same.

Working nights is often better paid and offers me the opportunity to remain in work for the time that I don't wish to leave my son in childcare.

That way, I can literally be around to sort dinner, put the baby to bed, and head off to work, hopefully grab a couple of hours sleep and be up with the baby, then DH gets to go to work unbothered and I've avoided paying for childcare

I work permanent nights. Find it much better than day shifts ! More money and more day light hours to do things :)

My husband did them for years. It worked well when the kids were young but in school. He could take them to school, sleep then wake up to pick them up. He only had to work 4 nights instead of 5 days and he said his place was a lot more relaxed at night when there were no managers/ owners around.

It really isn't good for you though and when he stopped, so did his constipation and other minor health issues.

I work nights. No child care, more money. No managers.
I adapt quickly.
I may nap a bit.
It fits with my life. I need to earn money. This is the best way.
I have never had to miss a school thing.I am 50/50 with their dad.

So no kids, work.
It is utterly exhausting. But we get holidays, days out... Just a knackered mother.
And I know one day, I won't be able to do it anymore.

And I am weeing all night, because I drink a lot of water...

The idea that you stop weeing at night, is hilarious ! I'm retired now , don't work at all, but I still have to get up about 4 times every night to wee. I'd be in heaven if wee stopped production at night, lol. If yours does, count yourself very lucky !

I much prefer nights. My body most certainly does not shut down 😂

No choice at that time.
I worked nights for a number of years simply because I had to earn money, I had no options for daytime child care and I was a nurse.
I did it on minimum sleep too!

I used to work nights when I was cabin crew. I loved driving home in the other direction of the traffic and then getting home to bed, whilst everyone else was starting work.
Not sure I’d do it now, sounds tempting as I’m a night owl too.

Because some industries are 24/7 and it's essential to the job?

Urine production doesn't stop. Where did you get that idea?

Don't you ever need to go to the loo in the night? Or first thing in the morning?

I found myself working night shift at the start of the pandemic - it wasn't a usual thing for me due to my job but I volunteered to do it as my company needed some people to work different hours for logistical reasons when everyone needed to WFH. In many ways I loved it! Less interruptions and distractions, no phone calls, I was able to just crack on and I got so much work done. Also if people remember there was a bit of a heatwave during the first lockdown and it was so much cooler and more comfortable to work at night. I struggle with the heat so for me it was better.

And I can absolutely say - urine production did NOT shut down! LOL!

It's about making adjustments to your routine so that your body adapts to it. The only "negative" for me was that I found myself in a kind of ongoing "jet lag" state and after a while I had to request a break from it - but it was an unusual situation for me/my company and I expect if shifts were properly set up and managed it would be quite good. I wouldn't object to doing it again.

Yep I was a nurse for years ,really odd things happen on nights
Op you know people in hospital still need caring for at night?
Hospital staff don't just tuck all the patients in bed and lock the ward and go home, when I was a nurse I rotated on to nights frequently, I did a period of permanent nights when my oldest son was a baby / toddler for child care reasons .

They need the money.
They need to work opposite shifts to their partner.
Its common in their industry.
They need to be available for childcare in the day.

You might as well ask why do people work.

A dampener I know, but some people prefer not to sleep with their wife/husband or partner.

Night shifts are useful for childcare. As my husband is at home during the night and can drop the children off in the morning at nursery / school. I go home and go straight to bed, then get up in time to pick the children up. Thus no wraparound care is needed

There's often more money. It can avoid excessive childcare costs as the night shift parent can do the school runs and sleep in between.

Because many workplaces aren't 9-5.
Because such workplaces demand internal rotation onto nights
Because it pays more
Because of childcare issues
Because some people are night owls
Because there is less politics on nights

And I wish someone would let my bladder know its supposed to shut down, when it wakes me at 3am for a wee.

Genuine question. Yes I might look stupid. If you work the same night hours you would in the day, then sleep the same day hours you would in the night... how does it affect your health? How does the body know the difference?

Because most of the jobs that actually matter to society need to be done 24/7.

Circadian rhythms.