Third Shift

[WhoDunIt]

There's a pretty good chance I might be picking up a 3rd shift full time job and working my current "full time". Is there any down sides to lifting when working the night shift, even if this one replaces current work?

[The Magus]

I worked a rotating night shift a few years ago and actually felt it improved my workouts, but that was mostly because I was going to the gym at a time in the morning when no one else was there.

Probably the biggest impact will be on your sleeping. For a lot of people it can be hard to adjust their sleep schedule (esp. if you're light-sensitive and have thin curtains, and/or if your schedule is rotating/changing), and even after people adapt, studies show that most people have a generally lower-quality sleep when they work a night shift. There are some things you can do to help you sleep (shut out all daylight from the bedroom, use a sunlamp for light during the night so your circadian rhythm is re-set, try to keep a fixed sleep schedule even if your work shift changes, etc).

Other than that, though, there are workarounds for just about any life circumstance, you just gotta want it enough.

[WhoDunIt]

Thanks Magus,

I've worked the same shift in the past, only in a retail setting, I liked the quieter atmosphere this time of year I know the sleeping can be an issue, been there too, and was figuring that if this becomes a reality, I would be lifting early too....mainly when it's mostly elderly folks The way I'd have to do things to do this job and keep my current one may force me to cut back on if not stopping lifting till I get used to things, or Christmas is over and business at my current job dies off and I get used to the new work/sleep cycle. I will definitely look into that lamp if things go right and I finally have money to play with.

[The Magus]

Yeah, I actually enjoyed working the night shift most of the time, except that it started to kill my social life, lol. Hopefully it works out for you. Happy lifting!

[WhoDunIt]

Lol, luckily I don't have a life, so that won't be a problem