Ever find yourself wondering which is better, the early bird or night owl?
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm” at least once in your lifetime. Maybe from a parent, a teacher, a boss, or anyone that is trying to convince you to be an early riser. But how much truth is actually in this saying?
Is being a morning person really better than being a night owl? Does the early bird really get the worm? What about the night owl? Could he also get the worm?
Early bird
An early bird or a morning person can be classified as an individual whose brain is most alert during the early morning hours. Morning people have an easier time waking up and are generally good at harnessing their energy in the morning to tackle their to-do lists.
You might be an early bird if you:
- Wake up early, even on weekends
- Have the most energy in the morning
- Feel a greater sense of accomplishment in the morning
- Feel less energized in the afternoons
- Go to bed early
Benefits of being an early bird
Better eating habits
Early birds are known to be more likely to eat breakfast in the mornings. People who regularly eat breakfast tend to have an overall healthier diet. They are less likely to snack throughout the day and tend to make healthier food choices than those who go without breakfast in the mornings.
Better concentration
We are predisposed to be more alert in the mornings. Meaning early birds generally have an easier time concentrating and getting tasks done without interruptions than folks who rise later in the day.
One study actually found that high school students who woke up earlier in the mornings were more likely to have a higher overall GPA, math-science GPA, and language GPA.
Better sleep routine
Early birds tend to have the advantage when it comes to having a better sleep routine because their sleep habits follow a more natural sleep-wake cycle.
Night owl
Night owls are individuals who are most productive during the evenings. Night owls typically struggle to wake up early in the mornings and may require multiple alarm clocks to do so. However, night owls thrive after dark and are more creative during the afternoon and evening hours.
You might be a night owl if you:
- Stay up late
- Feel more energized later in the day
- Feel a greater sense of well-being at night
- Enjoy sleeping in
- Struggle waking up
- Struggle to stay alert in the morning
Benefits of being a night owl
Increased creativity
One study testing the creative thinking skills of subjects through a series of drawing tests found that night owls performed better than early birds. The study’s author reasoned that individuals who follow a later sleep-wake cycle might be more inclined to find alternative and original solutions.
Longer mental stamina
Early birds may be more productive in the morning, but they also tend to slow down faster, especially in the afternoon. In contrast, night owls may experience a second wind later in the day and tend to stay more alert longer into the evenings.
Higher general intelligence score
An analysis of the sleeping habits of 1000 teens found that night owls scored higher on inductive reading tests, which are often used as an indicator of general intelligence and academic performance. Interestingly enough, the same study also found those same night owls received lower grades in school compared to their early bird peers.
Should you be an early bird or a night owl?
In all honesty, you can either be an early bird or a night owl as long as you sleep enough at night and live a healthy lifestyle. As with most things in life, both have their benefits and drawbacks.
It’s also worth noting that your sleep-wake cycle is influenced by your chronotype, which is the body’s natural inclination to sleep at certain times. At the end of the day, it really boils down to personal preference and whichever suits your lifestyle and schedule more.
We don’t want to tell you how to sleep, but we do want to help you reach all your sleep goals! Whether you sleep-in in the morning or go to sleep early at night, our mattresses and pillows will help you experience a truly restorative night’s sleep. Shop MLILY today to discover all of our dreamy sleep products.
