how do you sustain energy levels when you wake up early

[welkin]

For about three months every year, for work (wildlife surveys) I wake up around 4 am, sometimes a bit earlier or later, and usually have a short but steep hike to where I'll actually be performing the work. The survey lasts two hours, I then hike back, nap for 30-90 minutes, then do the daytime part of my job (more hiking, visiting areas and figuring out specific spots to survey in the future, cutting trails through brush that I can follow in the dark). If I don't have the nap, I feel noticeably more tired. After 5 days of this, I feel very sleep deprived and out of it. I am always in bed by 9 pm, I'm not a great sleeper but I've figured out how to maximize my chances. The physical aspect of the job isn't actually that demanding, I consider these three months to be the easiest, physically speaking, out of my year. There are plenty of other people who wake up early and work harder than I do, are you all exhausted all the time? I've noticed that when I'm on a similar schedule for hunting (without the nap), I don't feel as tired, or the same kind of sleep-dep tired. If you wake up early and perform physically demanding work, are you feeling sleep deprived and if you do how do you manage it?

 

[Windigo]

How much beer are you drinking after work?

 

[Wheels]

My sweet spot is a 10 minute nap, any more than that and I’m groggy the rest of the day.

 

[huntnful]

I'm a napper also. Eat lunch super fast and then crash out for 20-30 minutes some days. Then as soon as I get home from work, I take a good pre-workout and hit the gym. That normally gives me an energy kick until about 9:00pm and then I crash TF out haha.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I want to know what kinda job lets you take a 90 minute nap 3 hours after you clock in?

Your body gets used to the hours you are working. The first week or so is kinda rough though. As you think you need more sleep than you do, and come evening also think it isnt time for bed yet.

 

[180ls1]

Are you staying hydrated? Keeping enough calories in?

I've found delaying caffeine intake until I get some light in my eyes a big help as well.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Had a guy swing by my shop the other day, right as I was closing. We shot the shit for a bit, he glanced at the clock and it was 6:30pm. He said "shit, I gotta get to bed" He's also heading up the hill at 3AM.

Theres a hint in there

 

[Seth]

I get up at 4:30am everyday for work. The key for me is a regular schedule and heading to bed at 8pm, and I don’t nap. I eat an early dinner, stay hydrated, and don’t use energy drinks or caffeine.

 

[displacedtexan]

Stay hydrated, and if you nap, figure out what works for you.

For me 15-20 minutes is better than longer.

Look into sleep cycles.

 

[welkin]

I want to know what kinda job lets you take a 90 minute nap 3 hours after you clock in?

Your body gets used to the hours you are working. The first week or so is kinda rough though. As you think you need more sleep than you do, and come evening also think it isnt time for bed yet.

It's contract work, I'm not an hourly employee. I have deadlines and what not but I don't punch a clock.

 

[welkin]

How much beer are you drinking after work?

I almost never drink while I'm on a work trip.

I love caffeine and I'm not giving it up but I don't have any past noon. Shorter naps could be the key.

 

[Speaks]

Different people have different tolerance for it. My wife gets destroyed by daylight savings time. On the other hand im flying to india tomorrow and will be totally fine by day 2.

 

[aaron600rr]

I'm up at 3:30a.m 4 days per week and lift 15,000lbs per day = (2.8million pounds per year all by hand(route delivery driver) Been doing it for 18 years and have a few beers after work every day. I wake up, pound a coffee, drink a protein shake and make sure I down water and healthy food throughout the day. I give myself 1 cheat meal per week, take creatine and lift weights 6 days per week including cardio. The booze ain't good but I'm strict on everything else. Make sure your getting enough water and salt when active throughout the day. I'm usually in bed by 7p.m. on work days and 10:00p.m. on days off. On my days off I find it hard to wake up @ 3:30 on work days it's easy.

 

[TaperPin]

A lot of early risers are headed to bed in time for a full 8 hrs of sleep. You might think some about why you’re having a hard time sleeping earlier in the night. Some times I’ll need a few Motrin for restless legs, sometimes a heavy duty heartburn pill if acid reflux is keeping me up. Sound machines work great, or in the field for some reason a crappy fm radio relaxes me. Thoughts keep me up at times so I practice stopping them and if I’m not asleep in 15 minutes I’ll watch a British nature documentary - Brit’s put me to sleep. If I’m sleeping well energy level is great first thing, peaks about 11:00 and starts going down and I’m at the bottom at 3:00 and get a second wind around 5. Coffee at 3:00 helps me a lot. No greasy food, and stay hydrated. Avoiding salty foods until after work helps me sleep better - fewer trips to the boys room at night. I’ve worked with guys who didn’t know they had sleep apnea until we had to camp out some where. Maybe get a sleep app. Work is called work because it sucks - sometime a guy just has to grind it out.

 

[2ski]

I secind no caffeine. I gave it up when I got tired of the need for it. Granted partner my up and down was I worked somewhere where I had free coffee and would sugar and cream it up. But drink it black at a coffee shop. When I gave it up I just let adrenaline take over. I can fall asleep from 8pm on if I sit on a couch or recliner and put my feet up. But the 4am wakeup doesnt bug me. In fact I could do a 630 wakeup if I wanted to for work now. But I enjoy 5am too much and am almost always up that early on the weekends too.

 

[Steve300xcw]

But the 4am wakeup doesnt bug me. In fact I could do a 630 wakeup if I wanted to for work now. But I enjoy 5am too much and am almost always up that early on the weekends too.

I seem to wake up 4-4:30am with no alarm. I might not get outta bed till 5:30-6, but I'm there

 

[2ski]

I seem to wake up 4-4:30am with no alarm. I might not get outta bed till 5:30-6, but I'm there

Same though I can't stand to lay in bed. Once my eyes open I'm up.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Have you heard of youtube?

 

[Esteban]

Different people have different tolerance for it. My wife gets destroyed by daylight savings time. On the other hand im flying to india tomorrow and will be totally fine by day 2.

As long as you got all your shots you'll be fine...

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

Morning caffeine, 7 hours of sleep, and green tea through out the day along with water and healthy meals. Not sure there’s anything else one can do.