Thinking Back to the Overnight Shift...

That’s a dramatic sub-headline, but it’s my mood thinking about the overnight shift. Indeed, a rite of passage for many in TV news, yet a test of endurance that leaves its mark. Today’s topic is inspired by a Reddit thread where a 25-year-old newly-minted EP asked for tips to survive their new 12:30 AM to 9:00 AM shift. (Congrats on the promotion— sorry about the time slot.)

The Good, The Bad, and The Coffee-Soaked

Sage advice below from someone who has lived to tell about it.

One commenter reminisced about their time working overnights in Seattle, surviving on cigarettes, coffee, and energy drinks before eventually cutting out the junk. Their system? Strategic naps. A turbo nap during lunch breaks, a short couch nap post-shift, and a solid four-hour block at night. They even advised the newbie to embrace a “2+7 sleep strategy” to make the most of their day.

Another veteran says: consistency is key. They emphasized a solid routine, prioritizing self-care, and building strong team morale. Their brutal honesty? “Overnight hours suck.” But a synced-up team can make the experience borderline enjoyable—or at least survivable.

My Overnight Odyssey

I worked overnights for what felt like forever, and oh, did it leave its mark. For years afterwards, I would wake up every hour, checking my phone, expecting a big story to break or a call from my producers. The reality - it wasn’t my story to cover anymore. It was just disrupted sleep. It took ages to shake that anxiety. Long-term effects on my health? Who knows—but I do know I now have a profound respect (and empathy) for anyone sacrificing sleep to keep the news cycle spinning (or working overnights in any other vertical).

You don’t realize how precious sleep is until you’ve spent years without enough of it. Pro tip for my younger self (and anyone considering those hours): set boundaries, carve out real rest, and remember that the work will still be there if you take care of yourself first.

Even better, don’t ever agree to it in the first place.

Did you work overnights? Questions for you…

If you’re moved to reply, I’d love to learn about your experience.

The Sign-Off

Whether you’re in it, over it, or looking back with a mix of nostalgia and regret, the overnight shift shapes us all in some way. Even if it’s just avoiding eye contact with those who’ve been there all night when you walk in fresh-faced for the morning meeting with Starbucks in hand.

That is infuriating, by the way.

But hey, news never sleeps.