Managing extreme tiredness
So, here is the deal. I am a very long time lurker, first time poster on this forum. I have been in IB and then Corporate Finance for 10 years now and I have had my fair share of tight deadlines and all-nighters. However I have been non-stop under the water since the beginning of this pandemic managing emergency after emergency in a position where I simply cannot step back. I am currently on a 47-days streak of collapsing at 3am and starting back at 7am, week-ends included, in a high-stress environment. So I am turning to you fine ladies and gentlemen, experts of extreme sleep deprivation, for your professional and personal advice on how to manage this (once again delegation and/or stepping back is a no-go since the organisation would collapse and has no time/resources to dedicate to this since we have been hit hard and I have a lot of skin involved in this company). Without doing drugs and without heart attacks. I am already having a healthy diet, I obviously have no time to exercise, I cut back on the drinking. But I need help remaining healthy, mentally sane and keeping stamina to be at the top of my game even after midnight, every day. Gosh I need to sleep.
So two issues: long-term stamina management, avoiding late-night collapses.
Hi, In the past, I have worked third shift (8p-6a) for a decent period of time, coupled with 90+ hour weeks, etc, and am pretty well versed in the art of functioning during extreme sleep deprivation. I can tell you that rhythm is everything.
Try to make sure you are getting to sleep around the same time each day. Get a eye mask, black out curtains, and a fan/white noise machine for your room. Set your phone so that only important people can reach you, and avoid using your phone right before bed. Avoid napping too close to your bed time, atleast 8 hours away. Learn to nap anywhere, and time your naps to fit natural human wake cycles (90 minute multiples). Set alarms if you nap. If you get thrown out of your rhythm, the best way to reset it is a period of sleep deprivation (skip napping, or skip sleep on a weekend).
Just pay close attention to what your body is telling you; for me, I get nauseous if I am too sleep deprived, and I recognize when that happens so I start to nap more.
Overall, you can do it, try your best to get in a rhythm, even if its consistanly less than you need, you will adapt.
Hi, In the past, I have worked third shift (8p-6a) for a decent period of time, coupled with 90+ hour weeks, etc, and am pretty well versed in the art of functioning during extreme sleep deprivation. I can tell you that rhythm is everything.
Try to make sure you are getting to sleep around the same time each day. Get a eye mask, black out curtains, and a fan/white noise machine for your room. Set your phone so that only important people can reach you, and avoid using your phone right before bed. Avoid napping too close to your bed time, atleast 8 hours away. Learn to nap anywhere, and time your naps to fit natural human wake cycles (90 minute multiples). Set alarms if you nap. If you get thrown out of your rhythm, the best way to reset it is a period of sleep deprivation (skip napping, or skip sleep on a weekend).
Just pay close attention to what your body is telling you; for me, I get nauseous if I am too sleep deprived, and I recognize when that happens so I start to nap more.
Overall, you can do it, try your best to get in a rhythm, even if its consistanly less than you need, you will adapt.
.
Also, you can only do so much, 4 hours of down time is insane, if you can sit down and write out a typical day for you, you may find openings for more naps.
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