When it comes to work, there are people who work during the days and lead generally normal lives. Then there are those who work during the night who lead a life that's a little less normal.
Working during the graveyard shift can be a life changing experience. Whether you run a lonesome counter in a gas station or work in a noisy, hot factory, it takes some getting used to being up at nights while the rest of your friends and family are asleep.
In my time working third shift, I've found out a few different things that change compared to working a normal day shift.
Sleep.
The most obvious thing that changes is your sleeping schedule. Throw it out the window, because it's non existent. At night your body is used to being asleep while being awake during the day, thus making it difficult at times to sleep during the day. Given time though, it becomes easier as exhaustion eventually catches up and consumes you to sleep. However during the night an extra boost is always helpful.
Caffeine Consumption.
Yes, the glorious legal drug that helps keep millions up overnight is a wonderful sleep replacement if necessary. While coffee is my personal preference, there's nothing wrong with a good energy drink, energy shot or whatever essential oil waters.
Time spent with others.
Not surprising, one thing that is also greatly affected by working the night shift is the time you get to spend with family and friends, as most of them probably work while you attempt to sleep and they're fast asleep as you work through the night. When you do get together and chat it's short and in passing, so it's almost not worth it. Almost.
Sacrifice.
With sleep and a social life both hanging in the balance while working third shift, more often than not a sacrifice of one of the two is required. It's possible to work nights and maintain a healthy social life, but a lack of sleep would probably cut that short a bit. Likewise it's possible to get a pretty decent amount of sleep, but only to realize you have to work soon and can't go out anyway.
The people you encounter.
One aspect that you may immediately notice is the variety of people you will encounter while working nights. Whether it's a customer or a co-worker, you will have a tendency to meet some interesting characters with intriguing backstories who say the darnedest things. Also don't be surprised if you become a little more strange at night, it's probably just the Shift Work Disorder kicking in.
Caffeine.
Yes, Caffeine is so important that it's worth mentioning twice. Better grab a quick coffee or two or three before work tonight.
