How to Adjust to a New Work Schedule That Is Early in the Morning (2024)

Logic dictates that early bird workers simply go to bed a few hours earlier, still getting about eight hours of sleep and then wake up sooner than normal. Unfortunately, adjusting the sleep routine for early shifts is a problem for many workers. What's considered an early morning shift is between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m., according to the Sleep Foundation. The ramifications of inadequate sleep include diminished workplace productivity, changes in mood and inability to get a restful and restorative night sleep, which affects many shift workers around the country. Fortunately, there are simple actions you can take to get used to a new work schedule even if you're a night owl.

Limit Caffeine Intake

Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages within eight hours of your new and early-to-bed time schedule. For example, if your shift is from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., cut out the late afternoon coffee. The caffeine-jolt could interfere with your ability to slow down and go to sleep in the early evening.

To adust to a schedule that starts before the normal workday, take 30-minute restorative naps at work on your break instead of drinking coffee. This should happen about eight hours after you wake up early. For example, if you wake up at 4:00 a.m., but the shift starts at 6:00 a.m., take a nap at work at around noon. This may give you an energy boost to be productive for the rest of the day.

Eat Healthy Foods

A healthy diet with foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can increase energy during the day and promote a good sleep at night. Eat lighter meals, such as salads, in the early evening to minimize acid reflux and indigestion that many people experience from eating heavier meals, such as hamburgers and pizza. Avoid eating anything close to your scheduled bedtime, as well.

Destress Before Bedtime

Start winding down when it's close to bedtime. Relax by taking a bubble bath and reading a good book. Resist the temptation to read text messages and emails. Healthline indicates that activities like looking at computer or smartphone screens before bed can interfere with circadian rhythms. Drinking alcohol can also interfere with a good night's sleep. Leave the curtains open to let in sunlight at dawn.

Follow a Morning Routine

Fill a squeeze bottle or cup with water every night and place it on your nightstand. After your alarm goes off, sit up on the edge of the bed and drink the water to kick-start your metabolism. Do this before you have a cup of coffee in the kitchen. Set your alarm to go off about 15 minutes after you normally set the clock to wake up for the early shift.

Your mind and body may begin to automatically and naturally adjust to waking up at the earlier time. For example, if you are supposed to wake up at 4:00 a.m., set the alarm for 4:15 a.m. When your body wakes up on its own, you can use this as confirmation that you have fully adjusted to being an early bird. If sleep problems persist, consult with your physician before incorporating adding sleeping pills or caffeine pills into your daily regimen.

How to Adjust to a New Work Schedule That Is Early in the Morning (2024)

FAQs

How to Adjust to a New Work Schedule That Is Early in the Morning? ›

Don't make drastic changes. Start slowly, by waking just 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. Get used to this for a few days. Then cut back another 15 minutes.

How do I adjust to an early morning schedule? ›

Don't make drastic changes. Start slowly, by waking just 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. Get used to this for a few days. Then cut back another 15 minutes.

How do you handle working early morning shifts? ›

Make sure you have a dark, quiet space during your sleep hours. Use blackout curtains and a white noise machine if that helps. When you arrive at work, have a cup of coffee or tea to jumpstart your alertness. Keep your work area brightly lit to stay awake and alert while performing your duties.

How to prepare for a 5am shift? ›

How to wake up at 5am: 8 ways to become more of an early bird
  1. Adjust your alarm gradually. ...
  2. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. ...
  3. Create a relaxing evening routine. ...
  4. Limit caffeine and heavy meals before bed. ...
  5. Start your morning with activities you love or are passionate about.
Dec 11, 2023

How do I adjust to a new work schedule? ›

How can you adapt to a new work schedule and maintain...
  1. Plan ahead.
  2. Adjust your sleep cycle.
  3. Manage your energy.
  4. Stay connected.
  5. Be flexible.
  6. Here's what else to consider.
Dec 4, 2023

How do you survive a 6am shift? ›

Avoid hitting the snooze button and do some energizing activities in the morning, like light exercise. At work, try drinking caffeine in moderation to stay alert and take short breaks when possible. The night before, work on getting high quality sleep.

What time should I go to bed if I work at 5AM? ›

Sleep calculator
Wake-up timeBedtime: 7.5 hours of sleep (5 cycles)Bedtime: 9 hours of sleep (6 cycles)
5 a.m.9:15 p.m.7:45 p.m.
5:15 a.m.9:30 p.m.8 p.m.
5:30 a.m.9:45 p.m.8:15 p.m.
5:45 a.m.10 p.m.8:30 p.m.
17 more rows
May 7, 2024

What 4 things should you do at the beginning of each morning shift? ›

16 Things You Should Do At The Start Of Every Work Day
  • Arrive on time. ...
  • Take a deep breath. ...
  • Eat a proper breakfast. ...
  • Start each day with a clean slate. ...
  • Don't be moody. ...
  • Organize your day. ...
  • Be present. ...
  • Check in with your colleagues.
Aug 23, 2013

How long does it take to adjust to a new work schedule? ›

3 months is a long time to settle into a new routine and way of life, so it may take some planning and preparation to adjust to your new schedule. When you're faced with a schedule change that often means your routines will have to be shifted. And with that change, sometimes your self care gets put on the back burner.

How to start waking up early for a new job? ›

Here's how you can train yourself to start waking up early:
  1. Move to an early wake-up time slowly and steadily. ...
  2. Once you're awake, get up. ...
  3. Be consistent, even on weekends. ...
  4. Create a healthy sleep environment. ...
  5. Create a healthy wake-up routine. ...
  6. Do something you enjoy early. ...
  7. Limit booze, screen time, and food at night.
Mar 1, 2019

What is the 5am wake up rule? ›

The "5 AM club" is a concept coined by Robin Sharma, in in his book "The 5AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life." This concept outlines a time management code, where you wake up at 5 AM to execute a twenty-minutes exercise, twenty-minutes planning and twenty-minutes study morning routine to start your day.

Is early morning shift healthy? ›

Shifts starting on or before 0600 are considered to have an “early morning start time” and can impact fatigue due to sleep loss and your internal body clock. An early morning start time may require waking up, commuting, or working during the 0300-0500 time frame when your body clock is at a low.

What is the scientifically best time to wake up in the morning? ›

“Generally, waking up between 6am and 8am is considered ideal because it aligns with our natural sleep-wake cycles. This time frame allows exposure to sunlight, thereby regulating sleep patterns and producing the sleep hormone melatonin,” he explains.

How to adjust to working early mornings? ›

Follow these steps to help you transition to starting work at 5 a.m.:
  1. Go to bed earlier. ...
  2. Limit your phone time. ...
  3. Turn off notifications. ...
  4. Place your alarm clock far away. ...
  5. Establish a morning routine. ...
  6. Reflect on the benefits.

How long does it take to adapt to a new job? ›

Set a Realistic Pace: allow yourself about 90 days to fully adapt, focusing on learning rather than immediate problem-solving.

How long does it take to adjust to early mornings? ›

It may take you anywhere between 30 to 60 days to get accustomed to the habit of waking up early. Once you get used to your new sleep schedule, you won't even need an alarm to wake you up. Here we'll share tips and discuss some steps to help you foster the good habit of waking up early, without compromising sleep.

How do I get used to early mornings? ›

To become a morning person, gently align your internal clock with the early part of the day. Start with baby steps–go to bed and wake up a little earlier each day. Create a soothing and calming bedtime routine, and in the morning, let the natural light help you reset your body clock.

Why can't I adjust to waking up early? ›

More than half of adults hit the snooze button when waking up in the morning, suggesting they find waking up to their first alarm difficult. Many who snooze may do so because their sleep was disrupted or they are naturally “night owls.” Others struggle to wake up when they want due to sleep or mood disorders.

How do I get back into an early morning routine? ›

6 Tips for Getting Back Into a Routine
  1. Set yourself a goal. Setting yourself a goal, no matter how big or small, can really help when trying to get into a good routine. ...
  2. Focus on the small, daily wins. ...
  3. Make a plan. ...
  4. Don't let a bad day turn into a bad week. ...
  5. Prep like a boss. ...
  6. Make sleep a priority.

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