When is your day?

[Pattree]

A recent reaction to a post made in the small hours had me wondering.

I have always been happy working night shifts. I sleep anywhere easily and always used to take night flights on long haul so that I didn’t waste working time.

My night shifts alternated with day shifts every month. I managed this and other changes by treating all days the same. I ate dinner when I got home did the usual things that you do after work and then slept until breakfast and departure for work regardless of the sun’s position in the sky. My local Spar were initially surprised when I picked up a four pack and a magnum at six thirty in the morning.

Since retirement my normal day runs from 10am until 2am. This means that for more than half my waking hours I shall not be disturbed by the 9 to 5 people.

I don’t suffer the “Tyranny of Eight Hours Sleep.” Sometimes I shall get up in the middle of my usual sleep period and do something before going back to sleep. I have no qualms about sleeping until midday.

1. I have the privilege of being retired and arranging my own day.

2. I live with a wife who is happy with similar hours. It was she who introduced me to this sleep pattern.

3. The detached house means that I can run power tools at 01.00 without disturbing anyone.

4. TV is crap after 22.00 anyway.

Does anyone else have a shifted or different arrangement to their day?

 

[gra_farmer]

I compress my working hours to look after the children. Wife works Monday and Tuesday, I work 10 hour days (not including travel), four days a week, and on call when needed 24 hours a day, on Saturday and Sunday.

My industry is a 24/7 business, so holidays like Christmas do not mean much too me. I am quite specialised in my skillset so I get sent to do all kinds of strange projects (3 months ago I was in Antwerp finalising a project with the university there), and the day to day work is very reactive, which often means that my 10 hour days, often are in reality 16 hour days.

I want to retire now, and very jealous of you @Pattree

 

[Falstaff]

By choice, my day is as Pattree, however, when working I start at mebbe 6.30 or 7am and aim to get to bed lights out by 12/12.30

 

[TeeDee]

I used to work in aviation engineering - there was a variety of shifts we tried over time.

The main takeaway from me regarding Nightshift - ( Did four years of that nonsense ) is that if your lifestyle can allow it - there isn't much wrong with staying in Night time mode all the time - you and your lifestyle can become somewhat accustomed to it.

What is the main issue is when you are in night time mode for your shift but try to revert to conventional daytime hours at the end of each shift -that , at least for me , was akin to jet lag on a biweekly basis.

I've also known , witnessed and experienced the terrifying aspects of micro-sleeping whilst trying to drive home. Known people that have crashed , and seriously hurt themselves.

I do think some people , their biology , circadian rhythm and lifestyle can find it easer than others but I don't think the cost on the body is always very obvious or apparent until after the damage is done.

 

[Chris]

0700 wake up and try to be asleep by 2330, though usually in bed around 2230 and then will read and unwind.

If I have to go into the office it’s sleep by 2200 and up at 0500 to avoid traffic.

I like being up in the early-ish morning. It means I get to experience both sunrise and sunset for most of the year. I also find it better during the spring and autumn months when outdoors, due to having more daylight for camp tasks.