Early Bird Or Night Owl: Which Is Better For Your Health?

Whether you leap out of bed at daybreak or find yourself snoozing until noon, your bedtime strongly correlates to how well you function in your daily life. As a part of our biological design, we are assigned to certain distinct traits dependent upon our sleeping pattern. We have been conditioned to think of early birds as the overachievers and highly functional beings, while the night owls are often thought of as lazy and maybe even a bit less reliable. While many of us have the thought form that one sleeping cycle is superior to the other, they both have many advantages as well as disadvantages working on their sides. So as for the age-old question, which lifestyle is healthier? Let's find out now.

Night Owls Are More Productive

Those who have trouble making it out of bed during the wee hours of the morning have gotten a bad rep for being lazy. However, a study conducted by a group of researchers attending the University of Liege in Belgium found nocturnal individuals (night owls) not only achieve more than their counterparts, but they also remain mentally alert and focused for a much longer period after being awakened. So in short, night owls are more productive. As the day grows older and eventually shifts to nighttime, many individuals have either fallen asleep or are preparing to do so. Night owls often take advantage of this quiet time to work diligently and free of disruptions. Another study published in the California Journal of Science Education documents night owls experience a natural energy peak in the evening time that urges them to be productive while others are whining down.

keep reading to learn about the next factor in this debate.

Night Owls Are More Intelligent

Not only will night wanderers get more done during their waking hours, but they are also known to have higher IQs than individuals who wake up early. A study conducted at the University of Madrid found night owls not only earned higher salaries, but they also displayed higher levels of intelligence compared to early risers. There have been numerous studies concluding with similar results seemingly proving night owls are more intelligent. Furthermore, night owls are more likely to have creative personalities, which are likely attributed to them having trouble falling asleep at night. While trying to project into a motionless slumber, the night owl often finds himself in deep thought accessing every aspect of the world around them before finally dozing off. This allows the night dweller extra time for contemplation without much interference leading to more strategic thoughts and creative ideas.

Learn more about whether being a night owl or early bird is better for health now.