I had a choice between second shift and third shift (overnights) and given those two options, I did the overnight for about a year until I got a promotion. Given the choice again, I’d do it all over again. Second shift is the worst. I don’t know if that’s your choice, but it was mine. I was able to get a lot of “official” stuff done right after work during the day when I needed to, was able to go out with my friends in the evenings that worked banker hours as well.

Long term, I know there are health risks shown in studies, but my dad did third shift for decades and I think it started to affect his mental health a bit (he was very happy to retire). But he actually got physically healthier as time went on during work. Lost weight by controlling his diet, starting taking up biking. Now that he’s retired, he seems like any other man his age, looks younger, but I think that’s just genetic more than anything. So, sample size of one, but the health effects may be manageable by still getting your eight hours of sleep a day (he was huge on this) and keeping yourself healthy in other ways.

But, as a short term thing, I found it OK. If you need to do it for a year or two, I think you can manage if you’re being conscious about your decisions, which it sounds like you are.