2am

It happens, and the once off is manageable, but when it may be a week long or longer, then you need to recognise this and put in place strategies to manage this period to avoid paying for it over the next 2 weeks… What are you avoiding? Sleep, or rather sleep derivation can cause amongst many things, an inability to think and concentrate. Usually when it's a peak period at work, your wits are needed everyday, for the whole time, so more than one late night and you will be struggling. Working late can be like a night out with mates. Once off is fun and manageable. But more than a couple of times a week and you spend more time recovering than actually out late.

So what are some of the strategies? 1. EXERCISE. It might sound impossible, who has time for exercise when you are working until 2am and expected back in the office at 9am. That said, its magical and likely to make you more alert. I recently did a two week stint of really long days, but instead of cancelling my netball matches, I told my office that I had an unmoveable activity and I would be back afterwards. I came back into the office more alert and switched on. Yes, I abandoned my colleagues for 1.5 hours… but I came back with more energy and drive. In the end I made less mistakes and my time was more valuable. 2. Watch your FOOD. It is just too easy to switch from healthy meals to chocolate and any form of soda. If you feed your body junk… well, the saying is that you are what you eat. So make the time to ensure you have nutritious meals and that you regularly stop to eat. Eating trash, even if you need the short-term boost will affect your skin more than a week later. 3. Switch off and MEDITATE. If you can leave the office, then take some time out. It’s allowed. Finding a way to quieten the brain and to engage the brain in something different will boost all manner of capability. Go for a walk in the fresh hair, lean against the wall in the bathroom cubical, what ever allows you to turn the brain off, do it. I have a meditation app that is 15min long. My only advice is, put an alarm on your phone in case you inadvertently fall asleep. Short deep naps can be good, but longer naps can be difficult to wake yourself from. I love having a lunchtime massage, but I know that having meetings afterward is less likely to have me at my peak as I try to pull myself from a 40min slumber. 4. Find your most PRODUCTIVE times and nurture them. Some of us have them at 7am, others find their second wind at 4pm. Look at your patterns and identify when you are your most productive. Then nurture those times. It's a waste having a staff meeting then, unless you struggle with the, use these times to crank out the work, it may mean leaving at midnight, rather than 2am. 5. Be COMFORTABLE. Does the building get colder after 6pm? Do you find that the later it gets, the hotter you are? Make sure you are comfortable. I know that I get cold when I am tired. So having a warm blanket or scarf is essential for late nights. 6. FAMILY. No doubt your late nights are inconveniencing someone else. It is so important to communicate and be responsive for those that may be disappointed with your absence. Tell them regularly and give them forewarning that it may be a late night. Nothing like causing fires at home, because you forgot to mention earlier you wont be home for dinner. Once the late nights are over, go back and thank those close to you for putting up with your work needs. Make it up to them, flowers, or something sweet to say thanks. 7. Recognise you are tired. Late nights make for cranky people, recognise that you may be vulnerable to this and be alert. Are you being short? Rude? Lack of patience? Recognise these triggers and ensure you compensate for it. Yes, you may be the work martyr, but it doesn’t excuse bad behaviour. People are more likely to remember your behaviour then the fact you worked incredible hours. If you are irritable, assume its you (not them) and make an effort to be nice and polite. 8. More than a week or stupid hours? The body is not designed for this. Speak up. Having a day to recover can make you significantly more productive. If you are likely to be fored or loose a promotion for take time out after a sustained period of work… well… they don’t deserve you. And you are less likely to be rewarded for your hard work. 9. Look polished. You may not feel it, but turn up looking smart and tidy. Too often it can be easy missing the shower, or refusing to iron the short. How you look the day after, will reflect on how others perceive you.

As mentioned, there are always those 2am work days. Manage them well and you can build up your resilience and handle them with grace and character. Be remembered for your work, not your dark eyes.