How Not to Hate Yourself After a Double
Line cooks survive doubles without hating themselves tomorrow—here’s how I keep it together.
Hydrate; mineral water, electrolytes in.
Double shift? Head pounding? That’s dehydration. Sip mineral water, pinch of salt; fog clears fast. No soda. No beer. Just water.
Stretch before bed.
Hamstrings, shoulders, neck five minutes. Forward fold, arms across chest, ear to shoulder. Slow. Breathe. Loosen the knots. No hate.
No opener next day.
Pull a double? Fine. But tell ’em: “Double’s cool—but no morning shift after.” Contract it quiet. Managers respect it. You won’t crash mid-rush.
Sleep! no shortcuts.
Lights out. No phone. Body resets. Tomorrow’s hell? You’ll wake sharp.
I’m a strong believer in ice because I know it works ice ice ice.
Remember there’s a very high chance you agreed to this double, act accordingly.
Hydration & Brain Fog
Mild dehydration (just 1-2% loss) tanks cognition: fatigue, poor attention, memory dips. Rehydrate? Fog lifts fast.
Check: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4207053 (Harvard review—solid science).
Ice for Sore Bones/Muscles
Ice numbs pain, cuts swelling/inflammation—perfect after doubles. Use 20 mins on joints.
Johns Hopkins: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ice-packs-vs-warm-compresses-for-pain
Stretch Before Bed
Five mins: hamstring (supine leg lift, hold 30s), neck (ear-to-shoulder tilt), shoulders (doorframe chest open). Loosens knots, no hate tomorrow.
HSS guide: https://www.hss.edu/health-library/move-better/stretches-before-bed
