Editor’s Note: This article contains reference to suicide.
We’ve all heard the age-old proverb: The early bird gets the worm. We’ve been told that the early bird swoops in to steal the worm before the late risers wake up and have their first sip of coffee.
Sure, the early bird may get a worm or two, but what if the early riser is really just a sleep-deprived overachiever, rushing through life in a caffeine-fueled frenzy while the rest of us take our time to cherish the snooze button and enjoy a nice breakfast?
Compared to early risers, people often perceive night owls as lazy and unmotivated, but this is far from the truth. In fact, a study of over 26,000 adults suggests that people who are more active in the evening hours generally have higher cognitive ability than early risers.
Additionally, there are less distractions in the evening. In the seclusion of our rooms, our brains are in a more relaxed state, and this is why many people experience creative breakthroughs at night.
I used to wake up at 5:30 a.m. every weekday, thinking I was being productive by going to the gym before I had to clock in at work. Unfortunately, the fatigue quickly caught up to me; I wanted to crash by dinner time, and I dreaded the thought of waking up in the morning to repeat the cycle all over again.
These days, I wake up at 8 or 9 a.m. depending on the day, and I still accomplish the same things as when I was rising at the crack of dawn. Although I may have a bit less leisure time in the afternoons, I no longer go through the day feeling dazed and exhausted.
All it took to make this transition was proper time management.
Take Carmichael Gym as one example. The fitness center offers flexible hours, ensuring even night owls like myself can still get a workout in. Carmichael is open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, closing at 9 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Now, I’m not saying everyone should sleep in until noon, and I’m also well aware that many people have to wake up early for work and classes. However, you shouldn’t feel bad for hitting that snooze button every once in a while.
Research suggests that snoozing your alarm may improve brain functioning, especially for night owls, because it allows the user to enter a lighter sleep stage compared to slow-wave sleep or rapid-eye-movement sleep, which usually takes place when the first alarm goes off.
Whether we sleep in or not, sometimes we all need to slow down instead of rushing into the day. We often rush to be first — first to the gym, first to the meeting, first to class — but sometimes being a little later gives you the advantage. I mean, let’s not forget that while the early bird may get the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese.
Of course, I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t add that there’s also evidence to indicate that early birds have healthier and more productive habits. Additionally, a person’s chronotype, or disposition toward a particular sleep and wake cycle, is based on a number of factors, including genetics, personality and culture, so it’s up to you to make the choice of what works and what doesn’t.
After all, being an early bird or night owl is a personal preference, and I’m not saying that one is better than the other. What I am saying is that night owls should be given a little more credit.
Regardless of whether you prefer to rise early or stay up late, the most important thing is getting enough sleep. We always hear about the significance of diet and exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but overlook the fact that sleep is just as important to overall health.
People who do not get enough sleep may be at a higher risk for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity. It also has an impact on mental health, as sleep deficiency has been linked to depression and suicide.
In the grand scheme of things, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to productivity. The early bird may get the worm, but the night owl has a quiet world to themselves in the evening hours. The key is simply finding your own rhythm and giving yourself the rest you need.
