Sleep in Banking
Amidst reading the book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, every turn of a page frightens me more knowing that I'm working in a field heavily reliant on long nights and low rest. As most of us know, over a prolonged period of time, less than 8 hours of sleep a night contributes to decreased cognition, focus, creation of memories, and emotional control and over the long-term increases the risk of cancer, alzheimers, dementia, etc.
I'm curious to know what everyone has experienced in terms of their sleep schedule and how it has changed throughout the years of working in finance. Are there any habits you've developed to fit more rest into your schedule? In your current position, is attaining 8 hours of sleep really possible if you try hard enough, or are you bound to fall into a lifestyle where you're lucky if you get 6 hours? I understand that in a "work hard, play hard" culture there is little time to "waste" sleeping when you could be doing a million other things.
Unless you are getting slammed, you can get 7-8 hours a night. Personally, I don’t care if I finish at 8pm or 5am, I need 30-45 minutes to go on YouTube or Instagram so I know I’m trading some sleep but it keeps me balanced. I only need 6 hours to feel okay during the day but I know some people who need 8 and they’ll make sure they get that. IB isn’t as bad as people make it seem, it’s just annoying cause the work that you’re working on at night, usually doesn’t mean anything
You still are trading some of those extra hours of free time for more more cash. Also, you might have bad nights here and there. But, I generally agree that IB isn't as bad as people make seem.
Well all survive with 6 hours of sleep and with protected Saturday at most firms you can catch up then. Problem isn’t the average week it’s the 110+ weeks that randomly pop up
WFH significantly improved sleeping schedules. For example, if you finish work at 12-2am (regular day), you can go to bed pretty quickly and then just wake up at 8:55 before your first call
Can anyone comment on working remote during COVID and how that might help with sleep (i.e. are you able to lay down on the couch/bed during lull times and get more rest vs. being in the office alert at your desk)?
Getting slammed right now and getting even less sleep pre covid because I have a fear that if a take a nap I will sleep through emails. Being in the office in the early hours was shit but at least the environment motivated me.
Other analysts at different firms have told me they can watch Netflix in between comments and catch a quick nap so YMMV
I agree with the lack of motivation during wfh. Its hard to focus sometimes when you're literally sitting in your bedroom. But, if I don't have anything to do I can watch tv or sleep which is nice
Don’t have time to take a nap since I’m essentially working nonstop all day every day but you do gain sleep time for not commuting
Adderallllllllll xr babyyyyy
I have learned to sleep with my eyes open which helps a lot with getting work done while simultaneously catching up on rest
what?
Get a clean 4-6 hours 7 days a week. There was a while where I couldn't even sleep in on the weekend because of the lingering anxiety. Good times!
I’m transitioning to IBD this summer, very curious to see how it plays out. I really like to get ~6 hours ideally 7. Guessing that won’t be the case in practical terms. Sales and trading I’m up early (5:45 AM) but could dick around the rest of the day after 4 PM
Can I ask about your path, and how you made the transition from S&T to IB? Was it internal? I am in a niche DCM group (abs originations), which is more S&T focused than banking focused like corp DCM - was considering moving to IB, so would be great to hear your story. Congrats on the move, by the way, and best of luck.
Thanks buddy. The short answer is B-school. Reasonably easy transition if the school places well into IBD.
securitized products originations falls under DCM at your firm? Are you at a US BB? If so, thought it'd have it's own CapMkts division. And I agree there is a mix but it's more IB than S&T, at most places unless your originations team has a good amount of structurer responsibility (which I consider the true S&T piece). Also, after a year or so if you don't like it, try lateralling internally to Transportation, Infrastructure and maybe FinTech/FIG. Those would make the most sense coming from ABS originations seeing that those would be the primary industries you work with. It wouldn't make sense to go from IB --> B-School --> IB, unless ofc you just want the degree.
Yeah I see what you're saying, I just don't know if I am interested in the industries I currently work with. I love working with debt products, so I think that Leveraged Finance could be a good fit.. just don't know how to even approach the lateral move without a) pissing off my team or b) meeting people in LevFin during covid times (pre-covid just easy to hit up an analyst for a coffee)
Until 3 weeks ago or so I was taking an average of 400 mg - 600 mg caffeine a day during the week for about 3 years straight. Finally caught up to me with some pretty weird heart flutters. As soon as I stopped they went away though and it seems to be safe on ~50mg - 100mg a day.
Sleep...I think depends a lot on genetics. My main business partner and I are both fine with 6 hours or so but I've worked with people who absolutely need 8. I've worked with people across all age ranges too who seem to have varying needs to. My grandpa and dad don't sleep much either and no issues with any of the diseases you mentioned...but again I think a lot is genetic.
YMMV.
I don't think you'll ever get 8 hours in during the week...you can on weekends. I typically get 5-6 during the week. I'm one that doesn't need to operate on a lot, so that helps. Not planning on staying in IB long term regardless after I'm an analyst. With covid, you can take 5 min naps here and there that are quick rechargers. 2 minutes of meditation also helps a lot if you can.
Getting 5-6 hours during the week, then probably around 8 during weekends. It's fine for now. WFH helps as you can drop straight into bed after work and straight from bed to work in the morning.
During my analyst years, I usually got 6-6.5 hours of sleep during the week and 8+ during weekends. This was on top of 1-1.5 hour working out every now and then. I lived very close to my office (10 min walking distance) and gave up nearly all of my social life for 2 years. It wasn't perfect but I didn't "hate" my job/life as much as people say.
Analysts only get on WSO after getting crushed so it makes sense that’s it generally bad vibes
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