Struggling with early cleaning job - anyone else?

[TenancyTroublesAgain]

I got a cleaning job a few months ago and have to wake up around 4.30am every week day and a few weekends.

I expected to adjust to the early start and thought as I had the rest of the day to relax it would be fine. However I feel completely burnt out and don't know how I wake up every day. I feel drained all day and it carries over until I come down with something and need to call in sick.

I feel pathetic. I worked full time before now and didn't find it this impossible.

Anyone else worked cleaning in an educational environment etc or with similar hours who struggled?

Not asking for advice because I'm going to quit either way, but I wanted to know if anyone felt the same about similar?

What time are you going to bed at night?

I'm in bed winding down from early evening, eventually going to sleep around 9-10, as early as possible.

I used to get up an hour earlier than that every day (ie 7 days a week) for about 3 years. It's all about managing the situation really. Do you have to creep around as others are sleeping? Because that's harder than getting up, lights and radio on. Go to bed early, say 9pm lights out, and have a short afternoon nap if you need to.

Also, trear your 9pm bedtime as a midnight bedtime. You wouldn't have your evening meal at 11pm, so don't have yours at 8pm, that kind of thing.

I was having to creep around but have had a free house for a few days and it made no difference.

I am also having 2-3 hours daytime naps. I just feel fucked.

I should mention I'm having tests for long-term fatigue etc. But didn't expect to struggle so much with a couple of hours every morning.

Thanks by the way!

I work cleaning a big factory walk about 11 miles a day get up 5.30 start 7.30 and finish at 4 also have type 1 diabetes which is fucked right now. I feel like I'm going to die, literally. I have no life I sleep when I'm home then can't sleep at night, I feel sick, and I can't stop crying. I hate it!

@justawhisper - Sorry you're going through that :( Sounds even worse. I hope you get an easier time of it soon.

I've been getting up 4:30 every week day for 2 years now and it's a killer.
I go to bed at 20:30 and am usually asleep for 21:30.
Feel like I have no life.

I wonder if you could be low on iron OP? I was so tired at one point and it turned out I was anaemic.

10pm bedtime is only getting you 6.5 hours sleep which isn't enough.

I've get up at 5.25am 5 days a week and if I'm not in bed asleep for 9.30pm I feel it the next day.

it's all well and good saying go to bed earlier but what happens if you can't sleep? i can go to bed at 8pm feeling exhausted and still be awake gone 11....

thanks @TenancyTroublesAgain hope we both catch up on sleep soon!

Can you cut the nap and go to bed earlier, maybe 8pm?

I had a summer job starting at 5 am years ago. I think you are going to bed too late. I think 8pm latest so you get 8 hours minimum. Long term sleep deprivation will reduce your immunity.

it's all well and good saying go to bed earlier but what happens if you can't sleep?

It will take some time but your body clock will adjust eventually. Help it along with blackout blinds and a wind down before. Also eat as early as you can.

Thanks we all have wings I do try but I'm a light sleeper and so hear DP come up then I'm awake for ages. Also diabetes not well controlled right now despite my efforts I've been having lows in the night needing to then have sugar to rise them then brush teeth so then also can't get back to sleep. Bleeding nightmare. It's been two months hopefully will adjust soon or just die of exhaustion