Surviving 8 hour shifts

   I usually work 5 hour shifts at my job but lately I've been getting at least 1 or 2 shifts that are 8 hours long. It doesn't seem like such a big deal since almost everybody who has a job works that many hours if not more but when you're so used to working 5 hours that extra 3 hours seem to linger a really long time. 
   
   Waking up on the day of my 8 hour shift I have uncontrollable feelings of worry and nervousness. For some reason I feel as if I'll never be able to get through that 8 hours at work and I'll get fired because I'll just up and leave if I'm not allowed to go home. I used to get physically sick during 8 hour shifts and beg to go home I don't understand it but I think it has to do with the types of OCD I have which I will cover in another post... 

   One Friday evening Nick called me freaking out because he thought I had somebody over because our new apartment looked trashed so I instantly lost my shit because I knew that somebody must have broke in to our apartment while we were both at work. I started to get bad anxiety and begged to leave my boss wouldn't allow it because I always go home early on Fridays. I wanted to quit so badly because I was extremely worried, mostly about my belongings. I have a really weird attachment to everything I own you can practically call me a hoarder. I hoard things but I'm not disgusting like how you see people on that tv show. I didn't end up quitting obviously but I mean if that were to happen now that we've been here a few months I most certainly would because before I was also worried about how much things cost to live because I had no idea and now that I have an idea I wouldn't be so worried about money if I were to just up and quit. 

   Anyway, surviving 8 hour shifts can be tough especially in fast food but I have a few tips to help you get through it if you're used to working less hours and 8 hours seems too stressful...

1. Switch up your routine 

If you go to work every day and do the same things every time you'll find that time goes a lot slower once you get past that time where you would usually look at the clock and be happy you're leaving in less than an hour. In my 5 hour shifts I always do the same things so by the time I'm done all those things I can stand around for 20-30 minutes then go home. When I do that on an 8 hour shift I find those last 3 hours absolutely kill me. I feel insanely bored. So my number 1 tip to you is to do things that you usually don't ever do - those things pass a lot of time!

2. Take short breaks

At my work we can go for our break whenever we want. We get either one 30 minute break or two 15 minute breaks. Me, because I smoke I take the two 15 minute breaks. It's also better to take short breaks because you don't get too comfortable and lazy doing whatever you're doing. If you smoke you can quickly run outside, smoke 2 cigarettes, and run back inside in exactly 15 minutes. That means that if you don't smoke and you usually eat like most people do on breaks that's more than enough time to eat a meal and not be so wound down that you're too tired feeling to work again. Also, take advantage of bathroom breaks. I mean, don't go to the bathroom every 30 minutes but in an 8 hour shift it's more than acceptable to go 3 or 4 times for 5 minutes (4 times at 5 minutes each is 20 minutes of getting paid to go to the bathroom!)

3. Don't talk a lot

You would think that having conversations at work would pass your time but in reality you're more likely to look at the clock whenever the conversation gets boring or you'll look at the clock because you're nervous that the boss will give you shit for talking for so long so you try to make the conversation quick or you look at the clock right after the conversation and realize you were only talking for a few minutes. My advice to you is to get lost in your own thoughts or sing some songs even if it's just in your head because I find that makes my time go by really fast.

4. Take time to sit down

When you're on your feet all day and dealing with the public it really puts a strain on your body. Take a few minutes to sit down even if it's not on your break. At my work there's a walk in fridge and right inside the door there's a little wall beside a shelf where no cameras can see so I always sit on the floor there then get up when I feel like I'm getting too lazy. It gives me a second wind every time - plus it's cold so that helps a lot too. 

5. Keep in mind it gets easier

The more 8 hour shifts you do the faster it goes by. Instead of avoiding 8 hour shifts try asking your boss for more. Not only is it more money but it's good experience to work that long for when you apply to a "real" job where you have to work 8 hours or more every day.