Circadian rhythms are the name given to your internal clock, the body system that decides, in part, when you are awake and when you sleep. People who wake up extremely early are often referred to as morning larks, while those who are awake, happiest and most productive at night are called night owls. The majority of people fall somewhere in between these two extremes, ruled more by the body’s 24-hour cycle than specific times.
Morning Lark vs. Night Owl
Health professionals have long believed that the body is more naturally set up to rise early and go to bed early. In fact, history shows that our ancestors lived full lives from sunup to sundown. But with the invention of electricity and the onset of 24-hour factories, the expectations for the internal clocks of recent generations were adjusted.
When it comes to morning larks and night owls, one is not necessarily better than the other. It usually comes down to personal preference and a case can certainly be made for both sides. Regardless, here are 4 top reasons to try your hand at early rising.
Morning Lark Advantages
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Those who rise earlier tend to be happier people in general and less prone to bouts of depression. Natural sunlight helps brighten moods and those who rise early are more apt to get the benefits from sunlight that can’t be found in other places.
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Morning larks are better problem solvers. Those who rise early have been shown to be more conscientious, which helps them focus on many different solutions to an unexpected problem, giving them a greater chance of coming up with a quick solution than their night counterparts.
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Morning people tend to get better grades. Classes are arranged on the schedule that best suits a morning riser. They have a chance to get more sleep and have their brains awake and clear for classes. Night owls tend to get less sleep and this, in turn, causes the brain to work slower and not be as clear during daytime hours, resulting in lower test scores.
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Larks are more productive. Before the owl even has time to clear the fuzziness from his brain, the lark has put in several hours of work already. The places they need to contact are open when they are awake, business meetings can take place and generally their energy levels are at their highest before lunch.
Tips for Change
It is possible to change your schedule if you are a night owl trying to become more of a morning person. A few things you can do to accomplish this are:
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Set a schedule for retiring and rising and keep to the schedule, even on weekends. You may want to change the times in 15-minute increments to help your body adjust gradually.
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Don’t hit that snooze button. Night owls often fall into their deepest sleep about sunrise. Hitting the snooze button could cause you to sleep through the alarm when it next rings.
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Avoid “blue” light an hour before bed. This is the light that comes from computers, televisions, phones and other electronic devices. Try to avoid all of these for at least an hour before bed as they are known to stimulate you and make sleep more difficult.
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