Morning Show Schedules

[tvnewsguy111]

Any advice for someone who is about to start working on the morning show-- overnight..

Sleeping, eating, etc..?

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

Be consistent with your sleeping schedule - and try to get in the 8 hours.

Buy material to completley black out your windows for your bedroom. Do not let ANY light into your room.

Remove the TV and phone from your bedroom.

Try to sleep during normal business hours. If your friends work from 9-5, that is your bedtime, and it will keep you on pace with the rest of the world.

Set an eating schedule and stick to it - and resist the temptation to eat before you go to bed.

Get in your exercise.

Set realistic expectations of your social life. You can still see your friends, date, etc - but they have to understand your schedule.

Don't work overnights more than two years. The morning show is a great way to establish yourself and prove what you can do - but it is unhealthy on the long term. Set a goal for when you want to be out - and KEEP IT.

[Roy Hobbs]

Get most of the show written by 4:30 and you can sneak out and get Egg McMuffins for you and the crew!

[22]

First thing... get a perscription for Ambien. Seriously.

[wx or not]

First thing... get a perscription for Ambien. Seriously.
But, NEVER, EVER have an alcoholic drink shortly before taking it! Believe me!!!

[east coast producer]

First thing... get a perscription for Ambien. Seriously.

There's also Provigil (http://provigil.com/), which is indicated for shift workers. Opposite of sleep-inducing drugs such as Ambien, it's a "wakefulness agent." It works really well. You can, um, also find it online. :whistle:

[TAFKA wacowx]

Be consistent with your sleeping schedule - and try to get in the 8 hours.

Buy material to completley black out your windows for your bedroom. Do not let ANY light into your room.

Remove the TV and phone from your bedroom.

Try to sleep during normal business hours. If your friends work from 9-5, that is your bedtime, and it will keep you on pace with the rest of the world.

Set an eating schedule and stick to it - and resist the temptation to eat before you go to bed.

Get in your exercise.

Set realistic expectations of your social life. You can still see your friends, date, etc - but they have to understand your schedule.

Don't work overnights more than two years. The morning show is a great way to establish yourself and prove what you can do - but it is unhealthy on the long term. Set a goal for when you want to be out - and KEEP IT.

EXCELLENT TIPS.

Most of all that consistent sleep schedule needs to extend to the weekends as well, so some find success with a split schedule...others abhor it. I did the split schedule for nearly a decade and I wouldn't have done it any other way...it allowed me to have a social life in the evenings.

As for the weekends, if you flip your schedule Friday to an overnight sleep, then back again Sunday you will slowly kill yourself!

Now, a consistent sleep schedule can accomodate adjustment, just not wholesale change twice a week. As an example, I came home after the midday show, slept from 1-5 or so, spent time with my wife or did theater in the evenings, then was back in bed from 10P-2A. On weekends, I took an afternoon nap sometime after lunch...may have been shorter than 4 hours, but I still took one for consistency. I would go to bed at night as late as midnight....maybe 1, but then got up around 5...6 at the absolute latest.

Again IF you change your sleep pattern 2 times a week, you will be heading toward an early grave. Some people can't tolerate the overnights, mainly because I think they flipped and flopped. I and many others on the board have done overnights/mornings (drug free for me) and it works.

[News Is Broken]

Cover your windows with tinfoil and disconnect your phone during the day.

[Produce man]

First thing... get a perscription for Ambien. Seriously.I don't know about that. I've heard stories about people sleep-walking, eating, driving on that stuff.

[22]

I don't know about that. I've heard stories about people sleep-walking, eating, driving on that stuff.

Of course you have! You, of all people should know what the media is like. "It's in your medicine cabinet and it could cause you to go the movies and eat a gallon of milk duds."

Fact is, there is a greater risk of being a sleep walker than there is being a sleep walker on Ambien.

Or try one of the other new generation of sleep drugs. Lunesta comes to mind. Point is, even with all the tips, and being very disciplined, there will still be a morning that you just can't fall asleep.

Don't take it all the time, but it sure can help you adjust your schedule.

[east coast producer]

What's really fun is working AM one day then PM the very next... or PM one night then AM four hours later. Thus is the glamorous life of a pro freelancer.

[Produce man]

Of course you have! You, of all people should know what the media is like. "It's in your medicine cabinet and it could cause you to go the movies and eat a gallon of milk duds."

Fact is, there is a greater risk of being a sleep walker than there is being a sleep walker on Ambien.

Or try one of the other new generation of sleep drugs. Lunesta comes to mind. Point is, even with all the tips, and being very disciplined, there will still be a morning that you just can't fall asleep.

Don't take it all the time, but it sure can help you adjust your schedule.Fine, I'm just saying that I've read of people doing things on Ambien that they later didn't realize they had done. Sounds a little dangerous.

But then again, a couple of shots will put me to bed just fine.

[TVMattNYC]

Any schedule that requires pharmaceutical help to maintain can't be healthy.

[News Is Broken]

Of course you have! You, of all people should know what the media is like. "It's in your medicine cabinet and it could cause you to go the movies and eat a gallon of milk duds."

No, it's actually true. I have a friend of mine who was prescribed that crap. He would get up in the middle of the night and start cooking. Almost started a fire once. His wife finally put a stop to it by flushing the pills down the toilet and insisting he go back to the doctor and get something else. No more sleepcooking occurred after that.

That Ambien is scary stuff.

As for sleep aids, I prefer benadryl myself. No joke, two benedryls and 10 minutes is all it takes for me to get to sleep on nights when I can't get to sleep on my own.

[east coast producer]

Any schedule that requires pharmaceutical help to maintain can't be healthy.

Understatement of the century.

[Produce man]

Any schedule that requires pharmaceutical help to maintain can't be healthy.Yeah, that's pretty much what I was thinking.

[News Is Broken]

Any schedule that requires pharmaceutical help to maintain can't be healthy.

Yep. If you can't go to sleep by abusing over the counter meds and alcohol then there's something wrong with you.

[Produce man]

No, it's actually true. I have a friend of mine who was prescribed that crap. He would get up in the middle of the night and start cooking. Almost started a fire once. His wife finally put a stop to it by flushing the pills down the toilet and insisting he go back to the doctor and get something else. No more sleepcooking occurred after that.

That Ambien is scary stuff.

As for sleep aids, I prefer benadryl myself. No joke, two benedryls and 10 minutes is all it takes for me to get to sleep on nights when I can't get to sleep on my own.Stop the presses. I agree with the first part of your post. Can't really comment on the benedryl thing, though. My dad used to take it from time to time for a rash, but I do remember it knocked him down when he took it.

[News Is Broken]

Stop the presses. I agree with the first part of your post.

Well, just don't make a habit of it. What with my gayness and all, people might talk.

[22]

Any schedule that requires pharmaceutical help to maintain can't be healthy.

Yeah... what was the stat? For every 5 years on that schedule, you will shorten your life by 1 year. Or something like that. In any event, it is better to be able to sleep on this schedule, than to not sleep.

And I didn't say the stories weren't true... just that it is one of the RARE side effects.

[22]

No, it's actually true. I have a friend of mine who was prescribed that crap. He would get up in the middle of the night and start cooking. Almost started a fire once. His wife finally put a stop to it by flushing the pills down the toilet and insisting he go back to the doctor and get something else. No more sleepcooking occurred after that.

That Ambien is scary stuff.



You proabably enjoyed "Reefer Madness."

[Convergence_Divergence]

I think it's different for every person. For me, I've found splitting up my sleep to work well. But that's not what works for a good number of people. I sleep when I come home for about 4 hours, then I go to bed for another 4 hours at night.
This allows me to get the sleep that MY body needs, maintain a social life, and also spend some time with my wife.
It also helps me do the flipping on the weekends.

I personally don't use sleeping pills. I also try to avoid alcohol on weeknights.

The only time this doesn't work for ME is during severe weather season. At that point, I go nocturnal and do all my sleeping in the afternoon.

Keep in mind, it took me a full year of doing this shift to figure out what worked best for my body and mind. And everyone is different.

[tater]

Two things that really improved my sleep after I bought them...sleep mask and ear plugs.

Also have two alarms around such as a regular alarm clock and a cell phone one...you never know when one will break down or the power goes off. That way you don't get a phone call from the station or wake up 5 minutes before you have to go on air. With two alarms...I have yet to oversleep.

Exercise is really important I think...anything that makes your body more tired is a good thing when you have to go to bed before the sun goes down.

Eating...well breakfast is a midnight snack, lunch is breakfast, dinner is lunch, and dinner is a dream while you are sleeping.

[Produce man]

How do you hear the alarm with earplugs in?:eek:

[tater]

How do you hear the alarm with earplugs in?:eek:

It's right next to the bed, it's not like you go completely deaf with them in.

[Produce man]

It's right next to the bed, it's not like you go completely deaf with them in.The ones I've used do. Those spongy disposable ones you use on construction sites. I couldn't hear squat with those things in.

[Pregnant Reporter]

Cover your windows with tinfoil and disconnect your phone during the day.

Unless you live in an apartment complex that will fine you for that sort of thing. In that case, line the inside of your blinds with heavy black trashbags. They still roll up with the blinds on the days you want to let the air and sun shine in.

and by God, if that apartment complex has mowing crews who show up at 1pm and you're sleeping, call and raise hell. If you can't have foil, you also can't have noise!!!

Not that I've ever been there or anything!

[Sultanosurf]

Yeah... what was the stat? For every 5 years on that schedule, you will shorten your life by 1 year.

I always figured it to be one year off for every two years.

My friend's been doing it almost 20 years now, so I figure he's nearly cashed in. You do get used to the shift after a while, and I grew to prefer it, since it's great for having the rest of the day free and for kids.

Nice to see our smarmy NYCMatt chime in with his usual lack of grace. Guess he doesn't realize (Or more likely ignores) that mornings are one of the rare growth areas in the business.

TV-111, the rest of the advice given covers most of the bases, but I'd add to be real wary about getting sucked into covering stuff on the later shows. You'll want to keep your bosses happy, so when they ask you to stay and do a shot on the five or whatever, you'll be tempted. But then they've got you hooked. If they're smart, they realize they need to keep the morning crew rested and looking good. But not everybody's that bright, and sometimes you have to draw the line.

I'd also say that mornings are also attractive since you can have exhibit way more personality than on later shows, but it really requires a deft touch. Keep your credibility intact by being careful about crossing that line to buffoon.

[newsgirl18]

It'll take about three weeks of feeling crappy before your body adjusts to the morning shift and your sleep schedule.
Also, get some really strong coffee.
Welcome to the morning shift!

[TAFKA wacowx]

It'll take about three weeks of feeling crappy before your body adjusts to the morning shift and your sleep schedule.
Also, get some really strong coffee.
Welcome to the morning shift!

If you can do it without coffee or any caffeine...it will be a much, MUCH better experience.:cheers:

[leavinlasvesgas]

despite forgetting how to spell las vegas..I've managed to get by on the morning shift pretty well. I come home and take a two hour nap while my kids are at school and try to get in bed by 9:30 and get up by 3:30. I am a single dad with three teenagers and I am surprised at how well this shift has worked out for me and the kids. I am also blessed to work with a great co-anchor, producer and crew, so we have as close to zero stress in the news room as I've ever experienced. We do three hours and have a blast. Btw...ratings are good, too.

I use a sleep mask for my nap and unplug my phone at night so the kids don't keep me up talking (they have a phone downstairs).

[TVMattNYC]

Yeah... what was the stat? For every 5 years on that schedule, you will shorten your life by 1 year. Or something like that. In any event, it is better to be able to sleep on this schedule, than to not sleep.


According to my own doctors, nearly 20 years on these god-awful hours shortened my life by about ... 30 years. Seriously. I was warned that unless I quit the madness immediately, I was facing CERTAIN diabetes within 5 years, and a heart attack or stroke within 3 ... whichever came first.

[wx or not]

According to my own doctors, nearly 20 years on these god-awful hours shortened my life by about ... 30 years. Seriously. I was warned that unless I quit the madness immediately, I was facing CERTAIN diabetes within 5 years, and a heart attack or stroke within 3 ... whichever came first.
I am sorry about your health issues, Matt. Please stay healthy, however, not every person internalizes stress, nor do all people have an outlet for stress relief. This may have happened to you, in that NYC is not exactly the most stress-free region in the country. There is a way to alleviate potential life-threatening issues for off-hour shift workers, and that is to find something that TRULY reduces your stress load. Worked for me years ago.

[TVMattNYC]

I am sorry about your health issues, Matt. Please stay healthy, however, not every person internalizes stress, nor do all people have an outlet for stress relief. This may have happened to you, in that NYC is not exactly the most stress-free region in the country. There is a way to alleviate potential life-threatening issues for off-hour shift workers, and that is to find something that TRULY reduces your stress load. Worked for me years ago.

According to my doctors who specialize in "fixing" the endocrine systems of people with schedules like mine, NO ONE can survive doing these shifts for very long without some sort of long-term health damage. You may not feel it while it's developing (God knows I didn't), but make no mistake, it IS happening. There is no "stress relief" activity or ritual that can offset the damage you're doing to your body by keeping it off the natural circadian rhythm that Nature intended.

[ewink]

I was warned that unless I quit the madness immediately, I was facing CERTAIN diabetes within 5 years, and a heart attack or stroke within 3 ... whichever came first.
I'm no doctor, but my bet is on 3.

I'd love to see some kind of peer reviewed evidence that working graveyards kills people because I have seen obits of 80, 90 year old people dying and the obit saying they worked as a nightwatchman or what have you for 50 years.

I doubt very much it's the hours that harms anyone, but the fact people tend to take less care of themselves when they work those hours than they do when they work 'normal' hours.

[mothball]

I worked overnights for a decade and a half without trouble.

However, now that I have a child, I can't see how anyone with small children could manage for any length of time.

[LAWEATHER]

For me the early AM shift was always a killer. Those who say you get used to it - it never happened for me. I tried just about every method possible. Ambien, Lunesta are big trouble. Can cause severe depression before you know it. Those with families never adjust and I have no doubt that the shift takes a toll on health and family. There is a new drug I have read about called Provigil. Don't know much about it. Does not appear to put you too sleep but allows you to work with little sleep.

Recreational Provigil user testimonialshttp://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.61.1/t.gif (http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=61457) are all over the web. Not only are people able to work with little or no sleep, the drug has the advantage of spurring weight loss and some users report a general mood enhancing side effect. The U.S. military has also reportedly testedhttp://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.61.1/t.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil) it on helicopter and F117 pilots to see if they remain effective for up to 88 hours without sleep.

Might not want to let your News Director see the part about 88 hours without sleep though:).

[TVMattNYC]

I'm no doctor, but my bet is on 3.

I'd love to see some kind of peer reviewed evidence that working graveyards kills people because I have seen obits of 80, 90 year old people dying and the obit saying they worked as a nightwatchman or what have you for 50 years.

I doubt very much it's the hours that harms anyone, but the fact people tend to take less care of themselves when they work those hours than they do when they work 'normal' hours.

With all due respect, ewink, I'll discount your 73 *less* years of medical expertise in this area over my doctors.

It really very much IS the hours that harm you.

And in my experience of people who "worked" the "graveyards" as nightwatchmen or "what have you", most of those people don't actually WORK the night shift ... they catnap through it. Very few overnight people outside of our industry actually WORK through the night.

[TVMattNYC]

I worked overnights for a decade and a half without trouble.



So did I.

Or so I thought.

It wasn't until that 19th year that the cumulative negative effect started outwardly manifesting. But it had been steadily building since day one.

[TVMattNYC]

I don't buy it. I've known a ton of people -- from cops, to sportswriters, to production people to cab drivers, to Vegas dancers and dealers, who've worked their whole lives in the weird hours of the nights and mornings.

I think you're "medical" problem is, you're gay, and gay people stress about EVERYTHING -- it's probably in their DNA or something. Seriously.

I have no scientific evidence of this, of course, and I'm not condemning your gayness -- have at it.

I'm merely observing gay people (and my heterosexual wife) are ALWAYS stressing about something ... always. Yes, I know it's a generalization. But it's true. Look it up.

Hmm.

Your bigoted casual observations versus 73 years of actual medical experience in this specific field.

No contest honey.

[Another side]

Hey! I'm not bigoted! It's a disease of the species, that's all.

Sort of like Sickle Cell Anemia in blacks.

Or lack of rythem in whites.

That's not bigotry. It's a DNA thing.

[TVMattNYC]

Hey! I'm not bigoted! It's a disease of the species, that's all.

Sort of like Sickle Cell Anemia in blacks.

Or lack of rythem in whites.

That's not bigotry. It's a DNA thing.

Then I guess YOUR excuse is just a "stupidity thing".

[Another side]

Then I guess YOUR excuse is just a "stupidity thing".

Well ... yeah ... that, too.

[Wise Old Producer]

I agree with Matt. I think the scientific evidence is there, and I know my personal experience confirms it.

I worked the early am/overnight shift for five years--while my kids were small. I even went through a pregnancy during that time. The shift worked for my family and I -- at the time. My friends who are still there are desperately trying to either get off the shift or out of the business altogether.

Six years later, it is still rare that I can go to bed at 10pm and sleep a solid 7 or 8 hours without waking up in the middle of the night. Once I wake, I'm WIDE awake-- from all those years of hopping in the shower as soon as the alarm went off at 3am. I've relied on OTC sleeping pills just to get a good night's sleep more times than I want to admit.

The other downside that I've warned others about here before is: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. If you already have good health habits, keep them up. If you don't, create them and stick to them. It will take a monumental effort on your part to make sure to get good and regular exercise and eat well. If you read the studies on why new moms gain weight you'll understand why: sleep deprivation. When you can't get enough sleep, you go foraging for carbs to keep your energy up. It's mindless, and it adds up quickly and in a very unattractive way. I paid dearly for stopping by Taco Bell on my way into work too many times "just to grab something on the way in". I'm still struggling with the weight that I put on during that time. (I know, I know-- but that's a different discussion...)

Take a multi-vitamin. Keep the caffeine to a minimum (it will keep your foraging appetite under control + help you sleep when you have time to).
Turn off your phone ringers during your sleep time. Quite simply, do everything you can to protect the time that you have to sleep and do not try to play Superman or Supermom and do without. Personally, I strongly believe that the scientific evidence has more to do with lack of adequate sleep or disrupted sleep rather than the time of day someone works.

I wish you the best. Since the morning shows are the one growth area of news, more and more people will be pulled into working them -- even "old-timers" who have always seen that shift as a rookie playground. It really isn't any more. Sweet dreams.:sleep:

[ewink]

With all due respect, ewink, I'll discount your 73 *less* years of medical expertise in this area over my doctors.

It really very much IS the hours that harm you.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Webcomic_xkcd_-_Wikipedian_protester.png

As a matter of fact I would contend that working 3rd shift is better for you. Name one person that has gotten skin cancer from moonlight.

[Hard_reign2004]

Coming from a guy working his 22 hour of basically 24 straight, getting a solid schedule is the number one thing you have to do. I have my entire schedule already planned out for remainder of day. 12:30 quiting time. Go to gym for an hour, then go have dinner with the wife, Finally pick up our little one from daycared and go home and be in bed by 6. Usually I am in bed by 9 on normal days but believe me when you do back to back sleep deprived shifts you HAVE to get some extra sleep.

[TVMattNYC]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Webcomic_xkcd_-_Wikipedian_protester.png

As a matter of fact I would contend that working 3rd shift is better for you. Name one person that has gotten skin cancer from moonlight.

There are worse things than skin cancer.

[TAFKA wacowx]

I think that most of the people who had issues were the ones attempting to shift their sleep back to more 'normal' hours every weekend. Shifting back and forth between schedules like that twice a week WILL lead to an early grave. If you maintain the schedule, with some tweaking of an hour or two allowable on the weekends, you will not have the medical issues described by many here.

[ewink]

There are worse things than skin cancer.
Sure are.

Still waiting on the peer reviewed, scientific proof though that working overnight hours does more harm than working 9-5. Talking here about the hours themselves now, not what people do to themselves because of working those hours.

[TVMattNYC]

Sure are.

Still waiting on the peer reviewed, scientific proof though that working overnight hours does more harm than working 9-5. Talking here about the hours themselves now, not what people do to themselves because of working those hours.

My doctors and their colleagues -- as well, of course, as my own personal experience -- are my proof.

[tvnewsguy111]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[ewink]

My doctors and their colleagues -- as well, of course, as my own personal experience -- are my proof.
What the hell does that mean? Are you trying to tell us that you are dead?

[east coast producer]

Everyone outside Manhattan is dead to him.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

According to my own doctors, nearly 20 years on these god-awful hours shortened my life by about ... 30 years.

So?? Living in NYC is shortening your life by one year for every week you stay there. What's 30 more??

[east coast producer]

A gay person's life ends at 30 anyway.

[solitaire1234]

I found the AM shift to be a great one. I didn't purchase dark blinds or curtains to block out the sunlight, though. Once you're tired, you'll fall asleep.

As everyone else said, a routine is important. My wake-up time was 2 A.M. I would leave work at around noon, do what I had to do (appointments, grocery shopping, work out) then go to bed at 6 P.M. Tough in the summer months...but when it came to winter...very easy (it got extremely cold in that part of western Canada).

All the best!

[Sultanosurf]

That makes it too easy. Everybody falls asleep at the mere thought of Canada...

(Kidding)

But seriously, for me doing mornings, the idea of going to bed at 6 or 8 never cut it. There was just too much going on. Hat's off to the rest of you, but I also had charity commitments, a kid, and --gasp-- a social life. Who needs sleep?

[TAFKA wacowx]

That makes it too easy. Everybody falls asleep at the mere thought of Canada...

(Kidding)

But seriously, for me doing mornings, the idea of going to bed at 6 or 8 never cut it. There was just too much going on. Hat's off to the rest of you, but I also had charity commitments, a kid, and --gasp-- a social life. Who needs sleep?

That's why splitting my sleep worked well for me...I still got out in the evenings to do all that stuff.

[tvwxguy]

But, NEVER, EVER have an alcoholic drink shortly before taking it! Believe me!!!

I second, third and fourth that!!! Strange things happen and then you get a ROCKIN' headache! :doh:

[Desert Rat]

According to my own doctors, nearly 20 years on these god-awful hours shortened my life by about ... 30 years. Seriously. I was warned that unless I quit the madness immediately, I was facing CERTAIN diabetes within 5 years, and a heart attack or stroke within 3 ... whichever came first.

Just remember though all the big money that you are making....

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

I found the AM shift to be a great one. I didn't purchase dark blinds or curtains to block out the sunlight, though. Once you're tired, you'll fall asleep.

As everyone else said, a routine is important. My wake-up time was 2 A.M. I would leave work at around noon, do what I had to do (appointments, grocery shopping, work out) then go to bed at 6 P.M. Tough in the summer months...but when it came to winter...very easy (it got extremely cold in that part of western Canada).

All the best!

The blackout curtains are not so you will fall asleep -- it is about the *QUALITY* of your sleep. Our bodies are designed to sleep in darkness. Even a little light can disrupt that cycle.

[TVMattNYC]

The blackout curtains are not so you will fall asleep -- it is about the *QUALITY* of your sleep. Our bodies are designed to sleep in darkness. Even a little light can disrupt that cycle.

Amen to that.

I also had no trouble "falling" asleep. However, I didn't realize that I was starving my body of QUALITY sleep for years. And the effect, unbeknownst to me all that time, was cumulative.

[solitaire1234]

My quality of sleep was very high...or maybe its because I'm young?

[Roy Hobbs]

Have you had a talk with sleep number bed spokesperson Lindsay Wagner about quality sleep?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l140/jarsofclayd/LindsayWagnernme.jpg

I hesitate to ask what Matt's Sleep Number is...

[i'm in touch, so you be in touch]

My quality of sleep was very high...or maybe its because I'm young?

It also could be the fact that you have nothing by which to objectively compare the difference, since you wrote that you never tried the curtains.

I did the no-curtains for about a year. I switched to blacking out the room after discussing it with other over-nighters. It made a difference to me in the comfort and quality of my sleep. But that is just my experience. If the other way worked for you, that's fine too. We're just offering suggestions on here, right?

[TVMattNYC]

My quality of sleep was very high...or maybe its because I'm young?

Or inexperienced.

[solitaire1234]

:rolleyes:

[scotman1]

That's why splitting my sleep worked well for me...I still got out in the evenings to do all that stuff.

I did this for a year and a half. It's absolute murder on your body. There's something to be said for 8 or more solid hours each night. Then again, being up during the evenings allowed me to communicate with the outside world and watch primetime TV.

9-5 shifts in television are rare. Those who have those hours don't know how lucky they have it.

[TAFKA wacowx]

I split my sleep for more years than I didn't...probably close to 10 years with no ill effects.

Scotman1, can I ask: Did you keep your sleep schedule on the weekends? Not changing over the 'real people time' and back each week is the real killer.

[scotman1]

Yup, I changed from "sleeping in shifts" to "awake during the day, asleep at night" on the weekends. I did a lot of traveling as well on the weekends, which probably didn't help.

[Sultanosurf]

Amen to that.

I also had no trouble "falling" asleep. However, I didn't realize that I was starving my body of QUALITY sleep for years. And the effect, unbeknownst to me all that time, was .

Judging from your cumulative 'cranky' quotient, you still could use a nap.

[TVMattNYC]

I split my sleep for more years than I didn't...probably close to 10 years with no ill effects.



That you know of. Yet.

[BadgerWXman]

Been on this shift for almost 2 years now... it's my first job after college. During college, I always scheduled my classes for the afternoon, so I'd stay up until the sun came out and wake up after noon.

Working 3a-noon is something I never in my wildest dreams imagined I could do, but when you've sent out like 50 tapes and someone offers you a job, you just take it and pay your dues.

Here's a little explanation of my daily routine in detail:

My alarm goes off at 2:35 (15 min ahead of actual time ldo) and I snooze until it says 2:53 (counting out the 9 minute intervals between snoozes in my head while laying there is part of my waking up routine.)

Grind coffee, take shower, get dressed, grab coffee, out the door by 3:20... at work by 3:30.

Produce weather until showtime (6-7)... then break 7-8am. Why god why must they only serve breakfast at this time?? Arby's and Panera get props for serving full menu at 7am, but you can only eat so much of one thing.

I vid for our dayside reporter from 8-12 and then I'm done.

When I get home, I'm usually tired and sometimes I take a nap but if I do, I end up wired later and end up with a crappy night's sleep overall and feel cruddy the next day.

It's really lose-lose, though because even if I don't nap, I catch a second wind right about when I'm planning on going to bed. That's where the benadryl comes in. Wake up, repeat.



Things I've picked up that have helped me a lot:

- Sleep mask in the Summer

- Forcing myself to fight the urge to nap when I get home and getting a full night's sleep instead

- Shaving at night (I've learned that shaving happens to be dangerous at 2:45 in the morning)

- Picking my clothes at night and laying them all out for easy access... that way, I just get out of the shower, and go down the line.

- No alcohol at all during the week... I've found even one beer or a glass of wine can make for bad quality of sleep.

- Eating well and exercising really does wonders... working out right after work gives you that work-out buzz that lasts just the right amount of time before you get tired around 6 or 7.

[Bigpuppy]

OK I'm in radio, so admittedly the bags under my eyes are not an issue. But in my particular medium, you're doing mornings, or you're on a very thin bubble. You might be anyway.

I've been doing morning drive since 1976 and it's been a nice living. Raised two kids. Coached all of their teams. Spent more time with them than my daddy ever did with me. That alone would make this shift worth it, if I dropped dead today.

But I don't think I will. I stick to a schedule as follows: up at 3a. Work 4-11. Nap 1-3p with face mask, industrial ear plugs, phone off. Woe to any interrupter; I almost punched out a meter-reader (ok that was while on prednisone for poison oak). Walk six miles a day on steep hills (instead of coaching kids; same level of activity). Dinner 6, coupla glasses of wine, no pharmaceuticals. Sleep by nine-ish. Eight hours of sleep is rare (I'm a guy in my 50's, so nature does call). But if I wake up, I grab a glug of milk, and I do OK.

Health problems have been minimal. Pneumonia almost put my lights out 20 years ago, before I learned the magic of the daily nap. Current BP is 126/63. PSA scare, false alarm. Feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. If my life is being shortened by this gig, it's news to me, and my doc. It's doable.

[tvnewsguy111]

I finally have my schedule down. I basically work 12-8 then go to the gym.. bed by 12ish.. up at 8 ish..

It's a pretty regimented schedule and leaves very little time for hanging out during the week. The thing that gets me is the weekends. I don't think I've slept a full 8 hours any time during a friday night or saturday night in about 6 weeks now. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now it's hard.

[TAFKA wacowx]

I finally have my schedule down. I basically work 12-8 then go to the gym.. bed by 12ish.. up at 8 ish..

It's a pretty regimented schedule and leaves very little time for hanging out during the week. The thing that gets me is the weekends. I don't think I've slept a full 8 hours any time during a friday night or saturday night in about 6 weeks now. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now it's hard.

You will NEVER get used to shifting your sleep schedule twice a week (which is what I assume you are doing since you are talking about sleeping Friday NIGHT and Saturday NIGHT...a time that you are wide awake 5 days of the week!) Don't do it! Either split your sleep so you can more free time when others are awake or make sure you are sleeping noon-ish to 8-ish on the weekends too. Look at it this way: you can still head out and party at night and you will actually be the wild one 'cause you can go all night while your friends will be ready to give up at 3 or 4. ;)

Of any full-eight-hour sleep schedule, yours is the most conducive to going out with friends on weekends! Most of the stuff I did on weekends with friends was at night. PLUS you have the mornings until as late as 2 or 3 (assuming you bump your bedtime a bit) on days you don't want to do anything in the night until after 10 or 11 (to account for the later bedtime).

Again, those people having the issues generally don't split and try to sleep overnight on the weekends THAT is what will send you to an early grave.

[RoyMcAvoy]

Been on it for a year and...um...I actually love it.

The sleep part is a bit of a factor. I'm up at 1:30 AM most days. Usually sleep between 7-8 PM. My doting and outstanding wife (often coming off an 8-hour workday of her own) usually puts them to bed soon after I head off.

That's 5-6 hours a night.

On the weekends, we'll sleep in shifts. Each of us will nap throughout the day, with the other taking the kids for all of their stuff.

Diet is a major component here of feeling well. I don't always feel 'at peak level' and much of that probably is when I'm not eating the right foods.

As for exercise, you have to find time for it, otherwise you WILL get heavy on this schedule. I must have picked up a quick ten pounds in my first six months of doing this shift. Since then, I've recognized when I need to work out. (I play full court basketball twice a week from noon to 1:30 PM and try to get in another 700-calorie workout elsewhere in the week, whether a run or walk in the neighborhood -- just something!).

Some see mornings as a bridge to a better shift. I hope this is my life, for at least a few more years. I'm able to volunteer in the afternoons in my kids' classrooms, drop them off (station is very flexible) AND pick them up each afternoon from school, attend their events and help coach their teams.

Heck, I'm more 'active' than those dopey guys in the Just For Men commercials -- and I'm not even gray yet. :)

[Sultanosurf]

Been on it for a year and...um...I actually love it.
Heck, I'm more 'active' than those dopey guys in the Just For Men commercials -- and I'm not even gray yet. :)

A year?! Har! The gray'll come, along with the dark circles and suitcases under your eyes. It is a great shift for young kids, but don't underestimate the strains it'll place on the relationship with your wife. Split schedules just aren't compatible with a couple's healthy lifestyle. Then again, in this economy, having both incomes provides a measure of comfort that others aren't having.

All the best to everyone on the morning shift. Remember the best part comes with one of the stiffest challenges: You don't usually get involved with all the office politics since you're not there during the day. But you also have to guard against that limited exposure coming when you're at your most tired and possibly most cranky...

[BadgerWXman]

don't underestimate the strains it'll place on the relationship with your wife.


I have to say that my relationship with my wife has improved a bit since I started this shift. I work 3a-noon, and she works 8a-4p.

When I get home, I have some time to myself. Then when she gets home we're both really happy to see each other. When I go to bed at 8, she has some time to herself.

It's a pretty good gig overall, although every time that alarm clock goes off, I do feel like a little piece of me dies. :rolleyes:

[TAFKA wacowx]

My relationship was improved too on the morning shift. She worked during the day, so when I got home at noonish, I took my nap...got up when she got home, we ate dinner together and watched primetime TV or went out with friends or what have you...then we went to bed at around the same time. I, of course, got up several hours before she did. ;)

The only thing that sucked was during weekend afternoons when I napped and she wouldn't IF she wanted to do something that day. Although, she too enjoys time to herself so it usually was good.

[Sultanosurf]

I have to say that my relationship with my wife has improved a bit since I started this shift. I work 3a-noon, and she works 8a-4p...
It's a pretty good gig overall, although every time that alarm clock goes off, I do feel like a little piece of me dies. :rolleyes:

Yeah, and we know which piece. Just see how many times she's in the mood when you are before work...