How to Work 12 Hours a Day: Tips & Ways (2024)

4 Min. Read

August 17, 2021

Depending on the type of work that you do or the industry that you are in, 12 hour days might be normal shifts. Or you could find yourself working 12 hours a day to complete a project or an important task. The reality is that working extra time can make your days long and strenuous.

Trying to keep up with your work schedule can have an effect on both your physical and mental health. You might find yourself having sleep problems or not having the same energy levels to get through the day. But taking care of your body can help make those 12 hour workdays more bearable.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

How to Work 12 Hours a Day

Key Takeaways

How to Work 12 Hours a Day

It’s important to recognize that there can be negative health concerns that come with working a 12 hour shift. Consistently working long shifts can contribute to sleep disorders, obesity and chronic fatigue. It can be difficult to get enough sleep or stick to a regular sleep schedule.

If you have any major concerns about your health or the impact your schedule can have on it, speak to your doctor or physician. They can take a closer look to see if there is anything you should be worried about or monitor closely.

That all said, there are some things that you can do to help make working 12 hour days a little bit easier.

Eat Healthy and Stick To a Schedule

After a long shift, all you might want to do is relax with a soda and some junk food. You can absolutely reward yourself for a job well done. But it’s also important to eat at a regular time of day and mix in some healthy options.

Do some meal prep at the beginning of each week or get your lunches ready the night before. You won’t have to spend time in the morning getting everything ready and you can make sure you’re energized throughout the day.

Your diet can play a significant role in your ability to successfully work 12 hours a day.

Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep

Your body won’t be able to function properly without enough hours of sleep. And if your body can’t function properly, you won’t be able to complete your tasks and responsibilities. Getting enough rest before a 12 hour shift ensures you have the energy and focus to do what needs to get done.

Try not to consume caffeine later in the evenings or drink too much alcohol. They can both affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep. It can be tough to get enough sleep consistently when working long hours but try sticking to a schedule to help.

Make the Most of the Breaks That You Get

There can be a lot of stress and mental strain when you work on a 12 hour shift schedule. There can be a lot that’s going on and staying focused can become challenging. This is why taking advantage of your breaks can help with balancing the day and raise your energy level.

Find a quiet spot to have a snack or listen to some music. You can allow your body to relax and de-stress. Or you could just sit back and have a conversation with a coworker about the game the night before.

It doesn’t matter what it is, but the purpose is to allow your body and mind time to refocus. You can take your mind off work for a few minutes so that when you return you can be as productive as possible.

Key Takeaways

Maybe you work shift work and regularly put in 12 hours a day, seven days per week. Or maybe you are working on a project and are up against a fast-approaching deadline. Either way, working 12 hours a day for a long period of time can be difficult no matter how experienced you are.

The main things to remember are sticking to a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. Without eating well and sleeping enough, your body won’t be able to function the same way it normally would. Which will negatively affect your ability to complete your job tasks and responsibilities.

Everyone is different and some people might find other ways to help get them through working 12 hours a day. But follow the tips outlined above to help get you started. Before you know it you’ll be heading into your next shift with a newly found energy.

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