I’ve been working night shift for years now and I have found that while it does have many disadvantages it also comes with several peculiar benefits.
Here are five things I found that are a distinct advantage of working the nights shift, in no particular order.
A private gym
If you have access to a 24 hour facility you will soon realize that very few people actually use is at 3 am. In fact, I usually find completely empty. Depending of the gym I was a member of at the time I was able to set my own music (it was a small local gym), go my own pace and not worry if someone is going to steal the squat rack.
There are no waiting lines!
All the squat racks are free!
You can pose in front of the mirror all you want!
If you have body issues, this is a blessing. I remember when I just started going to the gym one thing that I was dreading was the peer pressure. You know that feeling you get when you walk into the gym for the first time and you think that EVERYONE is looking at you? Yeah, there is none of that because there is no one around.
You get to fail, to mess up the count, fix your technique. In short, you are allowed to suck without anyone raising an eyebrow – because they are asleep!
You are able to utilize the full capabilities of your gym membership at your leisure, set up your own pace and accomplish your fitness goals.
A lot of “me” time
Working the night shift is generally a solitary endeavor and you will find yourself in a situation where your own company is – you. And while this can be an issue – and just plain boring! – it is also an amazing opportunity to work on personal projects.
You can catch up on movies/shows with much more ease than “normal” people!
Studying is much easier to accomplish when there is no one awake to bug you!
If you haven’t discovered the advantages of online learning, you really should. It is a blessing for anyone stuck in front of a computer on those long nights when nothing is going one. Think about it – would you rather complain how boring your shift is or would you take a course in accounting, management or anything else that you’re interested in?
I would take the second one. So should you. Also, remember, you can do a lot of learning while on the job (depending on your position). That means you are getting paid to study!
In one of the future posts I’ll cover the online schools worth your time and money.
I’ve also been able to catch up on books (I drive a lot so it’s mostly audiobooks).
The list goes on. You can crochet, knit, learn card tricks, play chess, write poetry, essentially do whatever you want and all of that without distractions that are normal during daytime hours.
No traffic
It might seem a bit odd point to mention but I think it is one of the big advantages of the night shift. It took me a bit to figure this one out so let me save you some time by telling you about it.
Remember that 24 hour gym I mentioned? You might be thinking:
– There is no way I’m going there! Takes me an hour to get there!
But what if it doesn’t? At night the streets are yours. The traffic is minimal – I’ve driven half an hour without even seeing another person, let alone having to stop for them.
That hour ride you are dreading? At night it turns into a 20 min cruise. No other cars, stupid drivers, wrongly parked idiots blocking half a freeway… None of that!
If a place is open, anywhere in the city, you should make it over there in half an hour.
With a bit of planning you should be able to get to a place before it opens on the other side of the city, do what you have to do and come home before the traffic picks up or most of your household is awake.
Case in point, I usually fuel my car once every two weeks – no gas wasted in traffic jams makes all the difference to your wallet.
Zero office politics
Working late night spares you from the usual high school mentality that abounds in today’s offices. Think about it – no stupid supervisors, managers or colleagues to pester you!
This is my favourite part of working the night shift by far.
During the daytime grind you are never able to fully avoid the office politics. There is always some drama happening, incompetence is on full display, the job barely gets done most of the time.
During the night shift you are able to do what you’re paid to do. In today’s economy it is a good idea to work nights.
I say that because you get to do the job you are paid to do without distractions.
No drama with you! You are a ghost that leaves results for the dayshift in the morning.
No micromanagement! You have a way to do things? There is no one to stop you from using the keyboard shortcuts on the computer instead of the mouse – yes, I had an insane manager that insisted on that.
Simply put, if you are competent in what you do for a living, you are every manager’s dream. There is no drama with you, results come in and you get to fully focus on providing the best results you are able to.
In short, while the night shift comes with it’s own set of problems, I find it way less stressful than working daytime.
The nightlife is yours
Depending in what stage of your life you are in right now this one might or might not apply to you. I lead a family life but a few years ago I was a solo flier. Going to bars and clubs was a normal thing and these places really get going around midnight.
If you work daytime that is usually very late for most people. The amount of energy drinks I’ve seen bought on a typical Saturday night is insane.
Me? I’m just getting started!
While all the other guys are slurring their words and trying to think of a cool comeback while half of their brain is asleep I could just waltz in and start a conversation.
Fun times!
These days I don’t do clubs anymore. I find the entire scene to dull and too young. Still, there is a fair bit of bars open late at night and I find they are a good gathering ground for the rest of us who go to bed when the Sun is rising.
I hope these five points gave you some ideas how to make the best use of the wacky schedule we live by.