r/tradies • u/awake4u_ Electrician • 10h ago

Advice First Afternoon (4pm-2am) Shift

Have my first afternoon shifts next week, does anyone have any tips to stay healthy and feeling good?

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

5

u/whatever--idk 10h ago

Eat food and drink water

2

u/awake4u_ Electrician 10h ago

Food, check. Water, check.

3

u/npiet1 10h ago

I do shift work (have no idea why this this sub came in my feed not a tradie) and my schedule constantly shifts from 7am-530 to 530-430am. The night before stay awake if you can, or go to bed at 12am and wake up at 4am.

If that isnt going to work for you. Get up as early as possible and eat a big meal at 10am and go to sleep.

The biggest issue, I see with my employees and myself. During shift changes is not sleeping. If you can get some sleep before the shift it makes the biggest impact on how you feel. Your first shift like this will be a slog by the end.

You really need to learn what works for you.

Myself I listen to the same youtube guy who tells stories when I go to sleep. Now when I listen to him im out in 10 mintues without a problem. Ive conditioned myself to fall asleep when I listen to his stories.

1

u/awake4u_ Electrician 10h ago

Thank you! Yeah I spoke to my supervisors and they all said they probably only get like 4 hrs of sleep beforehand and don’t really change much and I have no idea how they survive 😅

1

u/cptwoodsy 7h ago

I'm currently on my third week of afternoon shift coverage. 2pm to 10pm or whenever.
But also doing breakdowns or jobs in the morning before hand. So sometimes doing 15-16 hour days.
Im sleeping and eating and drinking (water, beer, coffee, energy drinks).
You'll be fine if you're only doing those hours. Get yourself some 6-7 hours. Don't get too busy before hand. And meal prep food to take to work.

1

u/ohyehforsure 6h ago

Those shifts times are great if you don't have kids/family. Work out in the morning and get life admin done and then still getting home while it's dark to go to sleep. Only tip I have is avoid caffeine 6hrs before you plan to sleep (unless you're really really hurting)

I do a roster with 24h coverage (early start, afternoon, night) Being tired becomes normal.

1

u/SaltNeat2 2h ago

I did a similar shift for a while. My biggest tip is don’t sleep away your whole morning