Casmk:
Being on nights now for 2.5 years and it’s no easier than my first week, some say you get used to it… I haven’t at all. 10 hour shifts get to bed about 5am. Up for 11-12 can’t get anymore because of body clock. Constantly tired and feeling groggy. It’s handy if you have kids to care for after school and cost effective. I am waiting for a day job to become available when someone retires hopefully get on days. Overall it fits the bill in many ways but would I do it for 20 years plus. No way!
It’s the 6-7 hours sleep and 10 hour shifts that’s the problem.
If your body is tired with the fact that you’ve forced yourself awake 6 hours after going to bed has nothing to do with your body clock or working nights, it’s obviously telling you that you’ve not had enough sleep.
I’d generally get up around 3-4 pm or sometimes a bit earlier when doing a short 6-7 hour shift.
Nightwork means some serious compromising on lifestyle in which your days generally have to be treated as night time including days off like weekends no ifs no buts.