Types of Sleepers:
There are two types of sleepers in the world – Night owls and Early birds.
Night owls:
Night owls are the ones who feel primarily active in the evenings, are at their best well past midnight, and hit the hay only in the wee hours of the morning.
Early birds:
Early birds are morning people who wake along with the sun, operate at their peak efficiency during the daytime, lose their steam by sunset, and hit the bed by 10 pm.
Who is healthier – Night owls? Or the Early Birds?
The studies conducted by scientists over the past few years consistently endorse the early bird culture to be healthier among the two. Our internal clock is usually a 24-hour clock, and it’s linked to the day-night cycle of the Earth. Our bodies generally want us to follow the natural rhythms of the Earth’s rotation.
We are tuned to wake up when it’s light. Go to bed when it’s dark. But at times, for varying reasons, we tend to disrupt those rhythms. When we are engaged in overnight shifts or have to put in those late hours, we have trouble & adjusting.
But if we have the power to choose to be a night owl or an early bird, what is healthy for us?
Advantages of being an Early Bird:
Early birds are more productive than those who stay up late at night and they demonstrate overall happier moods, lower depression levels, and more motivation. Science also shows that early risers are likely to have overall grades that are about 8% better than those who are not early risers.
Disadvantages of being Night Owls:
Night owls are at a higher risk of developing depression. They tend to weigh more, have higher blood pressure and also make poorer diet choices compared to early risers. Considering all the health risks, can we still make the switch? The good news is that we can.
How to shift from being a Night Owl to an Early Bird:
Naturally, the sleep habits of early birds have a stark difference from the sleep habits of night owls. Whether we are an early bird or a night owl – most of us don’t have the luxury of altering our sleep schedule (primarily due to work or other responsibilities). But there are some simple ways to reset our body clock and our sleep timing.
Avoid light disruption by using dark curtains over your windows or a sleep mask over your eyes.
Keep external noises to a bare minimum, as sounds can be quite disrupting for a peaceful sleep.
Use pleasant aromas that are calming and can help ease us into sleep. It’s good to have a fresh and soothing smell in our bedroom.
Use a high-quality Mattress and Pillow to make sure that you are comfortable enough for a night of deep sleep.
Choose Quality Bedding, as it plays a crucial role in helping your bed feel inviting. It will also help maintain a comfortable temperature during the night.
Optimize sleep schedule by setting a fixed time for sleeping. It’s much easier to doze off smoothly when we are at ease. Quiet reading, low-impact stretching, listening to soothing music, and relaxation exercises help us get into the right frame of mind for sleep.
Disconnect from devices, as mobile phones and laptops can keep our brain wired, making it hard to wind down. The light from these devices can also disrupt our natural sleep cycle.
Practice these sleep habits, as they will help us get into a routine that promotes good sleep. The best time to sleep and wake up is when we feel it’s right.