Night owls versus early birds: who is superior according to science?

The age-old debate between night owls and early risers has been a longstanding one, with each camp convinced of its own superiority. But what does science really say on the matter?

For many of us, our natural inclination is towards being either a morning lark or a night owl. While it's true that research has suggested that evening-disposed individuals may be more creative and intelligent than their early-rising counterparts, the picture is far from clear-cut.

In reality, our biological clocks are hardwired into us, controlled by an internal rhythm that regulates everything from alertness levels to hormone release. This chronotype, as scientists call it, can shift as we age, with teenagers often exhibiting a later preference and adults eventually drifting towards earlier rhythms.

But what about the stereotype of creative geniuses burning the midnight oil? Do night owls really have an edge over early birds when it comes to intelligence and innovation? While there's evidence to suggest that evening-disposition may be linked to better divergent thinking strategies, it's by no means a guarantee, and many experts caution against making sweeping claims.

Moreover, trying to force a routine that's at odds with your natural chronotype can have serious health implications. Research has shown that night owls are more likely to experience early death and have poorer overall health than their early-rising counterparts.

So what can you do if you're naturally a night owl but need to get up early for work or other commitments? While it's not possible to fundamentally change your chronotype, you can try to work in harmony with it by establishing a routine that respects your natural rhythms. This might involve setting a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bedtime, and getting some morning sunlight exposure.

It's also worth noting that our preferences for night or day are complex and influenced by many factors beyond just biology. Lifestyle choices, cultural background, and environmental conditions all play a role in shaping our chronotypes.

Ultimately, the question of who is superior - the early riser or the night owl? - may be less relevant than we think. Rather than pitting one camp against the other, perhaps we should focus on finding a middle ground that works for each individual. After all, as Matthew P Walker, director at the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley, puts it, "The second mouse gets the cheese."

I think its kinda crazy how much emphasis is placed on being an early riser lol I mean dont get me wrong morning people have their perks but what about those of us who just happen to be nocturnal ? Like research says night owls might be more creative and intelligent but does that really apply to everyone? And honestly im not sure if trying to force a routine thats not natural is even worth it. I mean my body loves being up late watching vids or playing games before bed

Ugh, I'm so done with this whole morning vs night thing . Like, can we just agree that everyone is different and what works for one person might not work for another? I mean, I love a good night in with my favorite shows and snacks as much as the next person, but at the same time, I get that some people need to be up early for work or whatever. Can't we just find a compromise and not make it such a big deal? It's like, science says one thing, but what about all the creative geniuses who are total night owls? Do they count as outliers or is there something else going on? I don't know, man... I'm just gonna stick to my nighttime routine and hope that it works for me, even if some research says I should be getting up with the sun .

I think its kinda cool how our bodies have this internal clock that we can't control. Like, who needs to be a morning lark when you're naturally wired for night mode? But at the same time, I get why some people need to wake up early, maybe they gotta catch an early flight or something ️.

I also feel like its more about finding what works for us instead of trying to fit into this "right" or "wrong" category. Like, if you're a night owl and you're naturally more creative at night, why force yourself to be awake at 6 am when all your best ideas are coming in the wee hours?

I've been there where I had to get up super early for work and it was like my brain was still in zombie mode lol. But then I started taking a cold shower every morning and suddenly I felt way more alert and focused .

So yeah, I think we should just chill about the whole night owl vs early riser thing and focus on finding our own rhythm

Ugh, I'm so over this constant debate about morning vs night. Like can't we just accept that people are weird and have different rhythms? Anyway, I think it's kinda refreshing to hear that trying to force a routine that doesn't work for you can be bad for your health. I mean, who needs an extra 4am gym session when all you wanna do is sleep in? And honestly, I don't think we should be pitting night owls against early risers - it's like saying people with blue eyes are better than those with brown eyes (newsflash: they're not). Let's just find a way to coexist and accept that everyone has their own thing going on.

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/26/1141444115/should-you-be-an-early-riser-or-a-night-owl

i mean, have you ever tried forcing yourself to be a morning person? it's just so... miserable . i'm more of a night owl myself and i feel like i'm way more productive when the sun goes down. plus, research says that night owls are actually smarter or at least more creative . but on the other hand, waking up early can be good for your health? maybe it's all about finding that middle ground or just accepting who you are and being okay with it

I'm a total night owl myself and I feel like I'd go crazy if I had to wake up at 5am every day. But then again, my creative juices do flow better later in the day . It's all about finding that balance, right? Like, I need some sleep, but too much sleep and I'm a zombie . And for those early risers who are always so productive and energized...I guess it just comes down to personal preference . I mean, do we really have to choose between being night owls or morning larks? Can't we just be night owls in the mornings and afternoon, but still get our sleep when we need it ?

I think its kinda weird that were expected to be one way or the other tho... like our bodies just dont care about morning or night lol . But on a more serious note, i feel like we should focus on being flexible and adaptable instead of trying to force ourselves into this one "right" routine. Like, what if you're not a mornin person but your body needs you to be for work/school/etc? theres gotta be a way to make it work that doesn't involve sacrificing sleep and health

nights r the best time 4 creativity & productivity dont @ me i get up when the sun dips low but still manage 2 crush my goals early birds might be healthy but night owls r the ones who truly live

I used to be one of those night owls who'd stay up till 3 am scrolling through memes and YouTube vids lol . But after a few years of trying to force an early rise schedule for work, I realized that my brain just wasn't wired that way. Now I try to get some morning sunlight in my eyes and set a consistent sleep schedule, it's not perfect but it works for me .

I think the key is finding a balance between respecting your natural rhythms and getting things done, you don't have to be a total early riser or a night owl, there are plenty of people who are just like "meh, I'm good at 2 pm" . And honestly, creativity and intelligence aren't one-size-fits-all things, so I don't think it's fair to say that one camp is superior over the other .

It's all about finding what works for you and not beating yourself up over it if you're not a morning person or an evening person .

idk why people stress about being morning ppl or night owls lol they're just wired differently & that's cool but honestly I think the real issue is how society expects us to be a certain way it's like we need to be up at 6am every day no matter what our bodies want. I'm more of a night owl myself, and while I can get stuff done during the day, my creativity & focus are way better when the sun goes down

idk what's up with all this night owl vs early riser stuff tho i mean yeah science says one is superior and all that but let's be real we're all just human beings trying to survive in a world thats constantly sleep-deprived . my grandma was always the same person every morning, she'd get up, make herself a cuppa, and go for a walk without fail . and i'm like the opposite, can't even get out of bed till noon but does that mean one is better than the other? idk man. maybe we should just accept that everyone's got their own rhythm and not force them into this crazy schedule society has us on

I think being in sync with your natural chronotype is key . Forcing yourself to be an early riser if you're a night owl can lead to burnout and decreased productivity . Instead, try finding a balance that works for you, like getting up at the same time every day but giving yourself some extra sleep or flexibility later on .

It's also super important to listen to your body and not ignore those morning cravings... trust me, I'm guilty of hitting snooze way too many times . Research shows that consistency is key when it comes to establishing a healthy routine, so find what works for you and stick with it .

And let's be real, the whole "night owls are more creative" thing is kinda overrated . I mean, have you ever tried brainstorming at 3 am? Yeah, it's not all it's cracked up to be . Maybe we should focus on finding ways to tap into our creativity when our bodies are feeling rested and refreshed .

Lastly, let's celebrate the fact that everyone has their own unique rhythm . Whether you're a morning lark or a night owl, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to productivity or success .

I mean, have you ever noticed how people always say night owls are more creative? Like, I get it, some of my best ideas come late at night when I'm supposed to be asleep. But seriously, I think it's kinda cool that we're all just wired differently. I'm a total night owl myself and I love the feeling of being awake when everyone else is winding down. And let's be real, who needs morning sunlight exposure when you've got Netflix and a comfy couch? Plus, research says that trying to force a routine can be bad for your health, so yeah, let's just accept that we're all different and figure out what works for us. I mean, as Matthew P Walker said, "The second mouse gets the cheese"... which is basically code for, "just be yourself, no matter what anyone else says".

I think its kinda weird how we're always trying to force our natural rhythms into something that's not really us. Like, if you're a night owl, just own it and work when your body is most alert, right? Not saying it's all sunshine and rainbows, but sometimes the stress of having to be an early bird can be way more draining than actually being a night owl. Plus, research shows that night owls have a slightly lower risk of death and all that jazz... so maybe we should just let people live their best lives, regardless of whether they're morning larks or not .

I mean, can't we just accept that people are just wired differently? Like, some of us need sleep in to function and others can pull an all-nighter without issues. It's not about who's more intelligent or creative, it's about respecting each other's rhythms . And honestly, trying to force someone to be an early bird when they're a night owl can be pretty damaging, both mentally and physically. I'd rather see people finding ways to work around their natural chronotypes instead of trying to "fix" them .

I don't think being a night owl is inherently better or worse than being an early riser . I mean, some people are just more productive when they're awake later in the day, and that's cool. But let's be real, trying to force your body into an earlier routine can have some serious negative effects on your health . Like, if you're not a morning person, forcing yourself to wake up at 5am every day is gonna mess with your circadian rhythms and make you feel like trash for days. And don't even get me started on the whole "burning the midnight oil" thing - just because some people are more creative later in the night doesn't mean everyone's gonna be able to pull that off . It's all about finding what works for you, I guess.

ugh i had the craziest dream last night i was at this amusement park and i rode this rollercoaster that just went on forever like, no ups or downs just this never-ending loop of twists and turns and i woke up feeling so exhilarated my heart is still racing lol what's up with people who love rollercoasters anyway? do they have some secret to their thrill-seeking souls?

so like, i think this whole morning vs night thing is super overrated we're not all gonna be geniuses or whatever just because we rise with the sun. i mean, some of the most innovative stuff comes from those late-night sessions when everyone else is snoozing and newsflash: sleep deprivation is a real thing, it's not all just about being creative. plus, what about all the people who are naturally night owls but have to be early risers for work or whatever? shouldn't we just find ways to work around our natural rhythms instead of judging each other?

I think its kinda stupid 2 try 2 be like an early bird jus 2 fit in w/ society. I mean, whos 2 say that morning larks r better n night owls 4bein more creative? I bet alot of ppl who are night owls r actually super productive n intelligent in their own way. Its not about bing a morning person or a night person, its bout findin what works 4u & makin it work. Plus, if u try 2 change ur chronotype u can end up bein all messed up physically n mentally