The 15 Year Old Me Would be Proud

I think I’ve mentioned this multiple times, but I don’t really like to be told what to do. I’m sure some of it is a control issue. But I think a lot of it is just me wanting to see what I can do. If you said that I had to do something a certain way, I wanted to find a different way to get those results. That’s the kind of weird rebellious person I was. I still did what you asked for, but I did it my way. For the most part I think I am still that way. I want people to work together to get something done, but I want people to do it their way. In the end, as long as you are successful and you did it legally, why does it matter how? The issue becomes, what if it doesn’t work? What happens if you aren’t getting the results you expected? I know what I want the end result to be, I know what I should do, but I am stubborn, and I want to find my own way to do it. I thought about that this week when I had a conversation with my new friend. I kept hearing about how we need to be using AI. I keep hearing about how if you aren’t using it, you are behind. As much as I want to be rebellious in some way, I don’t want to lose. So, a few weeks ago, I hopped on board and downloaded CHATGPT on my phone.

I said that I wanted to focus more on things that are specific to people who work overnight. So, I decided to ask my new friend a question about that. I asked the question, “If you work a night shift, what are 5-6 things you should be concerned with”? Yes, I know I started off with a very basic question. It came back with some very basic answers. It said things like sleep quality, physical health and nutrition. I decided to step it up just a little bit more, so I asked, “What about machine operators working the night shift”? It came back with things like, reduced reaction time, injury risk, mental drift and communication and shift handoffs. Now, this is where my fifteen-year-old self would be so proud. I knew all those answers long before I asked the questions. But I still do a horrible job with them. I know what I should do, but I just don’t do it. No matter how many times I set it as a goal, my sleep quality and quantity are way less than they should be. I bought my ring so I could track my sleep, do you know what it tells me on a regular basis? I’m not sleeping long enough and even when I sleep, it’s not the best quality of sleep. I know I shouldn’t eat right before bed, but I don’t really see any other options most mornings. It also mentioned keeping the same schedule, even on your days off, I sleep at completely different times on my days off. I have a wife I need to see and talk to. It’s amazing how often I’m proud of not doing what I should be doing, but I must ask myself, “Is this the hill I want to die on”? I don’t want to work overnight for forty years and then when it’s time to retire, I collapse. So, if I know what I should be doing, but I’m not doing it, how or what can I change? I didn’t list everything that it told me; I encourage everyone to go out and download the app. But is there something on the list that I feel is the most important thing I can address. I decided to look at three things from the list and focus on them over the next week to see if it makes a difference. One of the things that I am horrible at is staying hydrated. I have to find a way to drink more water. Most people, but especially night workers, rely on caffeine and energy drinks. We drink so much of these things that water is the last option. I don’t even mind water, but it’s not as good as Mt. Dew! Can I do something simple like commit to one bottle of water a night? It sounds very doable. Another piece of advice is to eat light meals towards the end of the shift. My issue is that I come home and eat a huge meal. Can I do a better job of eating something good early in my shift, then when I get home eat something light? Again, sound doable! One interesting thing mentioned that I am also horrible at, it says to get sunlight when you wake up. We have all heard how beneficial sunlight is, but I probably get very little direct sunlight. Can I wake up and just go outside for a few minutes. Three simple, small ideas. My plan is to do these things this week and see if it makes a difference. Does anyone have any helpful ideas that they do to make working nights easier? Send an email, let’s talk about it!