Swing-shifting advice needed

In My Humble Opinion
1

Inspired by the “how not to feel crappy in the morning” thread, I propose the question, how do I not feel crappy on this dumb swing shift schedule I have to work?

During the week I work 5-9 AM, but every other weekend I have to work Friday night 10PM to Saturday 7AM. And sometimes I have band practice on Saturdays at 3:00 so that cuts into my sleep even more.

It ruins my weekend. I’m completely useless for anything - my house gets trashed, I eat badly, I’m cranky and piss my DH off. I hate working weekends more than anything else at my job.

I work in an office (by myself - no visitors or anything) so it’s not physically stimulating. I have devised a system that I work for 10 minutes and goof off for 10 minutes to make the night go faster. I sometimes drink caffiene or eat sugary foods but that makes me feel more shitty than before.

How do you swing-shifting people do it?

And one more question - I’m trying to get pregnant, and when I do, will working a schedule like this in any way affect my pregnancy? (please say yes :wink: )

2

If that were my schedule I would go to sleep when I get home from work and sleep during the day. You would still have to get up early on Saturday’s but I guess that just means napping after band practice.

3

I used to work b- to c-shift, with some a-shifts every once in a while. The only thing I can recommend is to get your bedroom nice and dark, and quiet. Get an enjoyable, but kind of boring book (I relied on Anthony Trollope) that you can drift off into. Try to get to sleep as soon after work as you can, lest you turn into Crazy NOSLEEP Lady, wandering the house jabbering and making half-assed attempts at performing household chores. Sleep a full night when you can.
That and try to be nice to your Designated Hitter.
I do not think the hours and coffee consumption required to work overnight can be good for the babu-to-be. It wasn’t good for my kids, and I’m a guy.