Guest Post by Kate Simpson
If you are like me you do your best work at night. Many people are not morning people. Lots of people find that they are most creative and productive when they work during the wee hours of the morning between 10 pm and 5 or even 6am. Unfortunately, the world generally works around people who work during the day and many of us have to adjust to a daytime routine. For those of you who still find it difficult to sleep at night and still enjoy working later into the night, this article will highlight some of the benefits of working at night as well as some tips on how to optimize your night time hours to increase your productivity. The following tips are prepared by writing night owls from Assignment Masters service.
The benefits of Working at Night
- You can skip the tossing, turning, and frustration of being unable to fall asleep
- When everyone else is sleeping you have the benefit of enjoying undisturbed time. No distractions or interruptions
- You may have to deal with some email but chances are it won’t be much
- The telephone will not be ringing off the hook
- The darkness of night brings with it a certain calm and peacefulness that improves concentration and focus
- Getting things done will give you a sense of accomplishment and calm which will improve the quality of your sleep, even if you sleep for fewer hours
Tips for Real Night Owls
So what do you do if you know you are more productive at night? I found that the first thing I needed to do was find my actual “rhythm.” I tried to going to bed and rising at different hours. What I discovered was that I felt most energetic, alert and happy when I worked until 3 or 4 am and slept from 4 to 8 am. I could still make my day job work from 9-5. Every person is different so it is important to experiment and find out what your own natural waking and sleeping rhythm is. Try not to focus on the number of hours you sleep but the quality of your sleep and how you feel.
Establish A Routine
Everyone needs a routine and it is no different for people that work night jobs or who like to stay up at night. Once you find your natural rhythm I found it was equally important to establish and stick to the same routine. If I varied my night times a lot I started to feel more tired and physically sick. Sticking to a schedule really helps you avoid the physical and mental highs and lows a variable schedule creates.
Plan Your Time
If you want to be productive during your nighttime hours you should plan out your time. Know what you want to accomplish and write it down. Start with the activities that take the most energy and plan easier work towards the end of your work period so you can transition smoothly into your sleep period.
Vary Your Activities
Night owls often do a variety of tasks. Some write, or do leftover office work, others clean the house or watch TV. To promote a good nights sleep do your most stressful activities early on and progress to calmer activities as you near the time will go to bed. Meditation at the end of your work period is a great way to empty your mind and prepare your body for sleep.
Stay Hydrated
Whether you are working day or night it is important to stay hydrated. Water is your best friend but sometimes something warm will help calm you and prepare you to sleep. Stay away from caffeinated beverages and choose things like herbal teas or warm milk.
Take Breaks
You can increase your productivity by taking short breaks to stretch or stand up. Taking a break between activities will help you stay more focused and renew your energy level.
Prepare Your Environment
When working at night you should prepare your environment. Make sure you have dedicated room that is warm enough and well lit. Poorly lit rooms will make you feel more tired and put undue stress on your eyes. Rid the room of any distractions like TV. Studies show that having a dedicated workspace allows the brain to connect the space with work. That in turn, improves productivity.
Let’s face it. Not everyone is the same. The important thing is to listen to your body and know that it is okay to be different. To enjoy your nights and increase your productivity at the same time is a winning combination. These tips will allow you to make the most of your natural sleeping and waking cycle.
