I have become Nocturnal ... How do I put myself on a normal schedule

[EndersDame]

I wait tables for a living and anyone who has waited tables knows you make the best money during dinners. I am usually scheduled some time around 4 or 5 till 10 to 11 (not including time devoted to cleaning up rolling silverware and doing sidework). I have been waking up a little bit before I have to get to work.I usually stay up to watch a movie and have a beer or two to unwind. Morning for me starts around3:30/4:00 PM and usually go to bed around 4 or 5 in the morning. I wish to change jobs and get back on a normal schedule. Should I stay up through one day I have off and eventually wear my self down or is there another way?

[Festivito]

1. I like staying up too long, then sleeping too long.

Stay up 20-22 hours, then expect to sleep for 10 instead of 7-8 hours.

Works for me. Do it all the time. Great for jet-lag avoidance.

[Festivito]

3. self deleted post.

[old mark]

2. The best way I found when I worked that shift in a hospital was to

stay awake for a 24 hour period - or as much as possible - before a day off. It took me several days to adjust to the change, and it worked best if I gave myself a day or two off to get used to "real time".
(I also used Melatonin to help me sleep at night.) I used to know people who worked a swing shift, alternating several weeks on days then on nights, and I have no idea how they ever survived that - I could not.

Good luck - enjoy your new job.

mark

[MrScorpio]

4. I've been nocturnal since 1980

Trust me, you can't go back

[EndersDame]

5. I am reading your post at 7:28 am I think you might be right

[DarkTirade]

6. It won't be easy, but the method you mentioned is probably the best.

You'll have to fight to keep yourself from sliding back to a nighttime schedule most of the time. It'll take a long time for you to really adapt.

Although it is nice to try and fall asleep when there ISN'T sun streaming in your window. :)

[EndersDame]

7. yeah i just didnt want to get that tweakin' feeling

and be cracked out for the rest of the day but I just woke up a little while ago at 4:oo pm

[rcrush]

8. I was nocturnal for the entire 10 years I had my job.

Then when I lost my job I returned to a 'normal' sleep cycle within a few weeks. I dont even know how the hell that happend. I used to work from 5pm to 3 or 4am usually so I wouldnt get to sleep till 8 in the morning. Now I fall asleep around mightnight or 1 and wake up around 9 or 10 am. Its weird. Too much sun during the day!

[NJmaverick]

9. Melatonin might help

it helps to regulate the body's natural clock.

[NJmaverick]

10. Melatonin might help

it helps to regulate the body's natural clock.

[EndersDame]

11. Since I have today off I am trying to stay up all day

Let the Tweakage begin!!