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Is it true that going to bed early and waking up early makes us healthier, smarter, happier, and wealthier? British cognitive neuroscientist and author Christian Jarrett shares his thoughts on this topic.
An old saying goes: “The early bird catches the worm.” Modern pop culture offers countless variations on this theme, suggesting that early risers accomplish more, achieve greater success in life, and generally do everything with a smile on their faces.
Researchers eagerly promise that if we got out of bed an hour earlier, we would become super-productive. The psychology of chronotypes largely supports this popular image of happy, industrious larks. However, as always, reality is a bit more nuanced, writes Science Focus.
A chronotype refers to the individual, evolutionarily developed, and genetically determined characteristics of a person’s circadian rhythms. In simpler terms, it’s the natural tendency of our bodies to sleep at certain times of the day.
Types and Chronotypes
Dr. Christian Jarrett noted that most of us—about 60 percent—are neither larks nor owls, but belong to an intermediate group. Moreover, belonging to a specific chronotype is relative and unstable, meaning it can change.
Another factor to consider is that a chronotype is not just about the time we go to bed and wake up; it’s about our optimal functioning times.
Larks typically perform best in the early part of the day, while owls thrive in the late hours, which is a clear advantage for career paths that involve evening or night shifts.
Interestingly, women are more likely to belong to the lark or morning chronotype, while men tend to be owls or evening types. Age is another important factor in chronotype distribution. During adolescence, there is a tendency to shift towards the owl chronotype, but as people age, morning lark tendencies tend to prevail.
Scientists on the Happy and Not So Happy
Researchers have repeatedly demonstrated a connection between lark chronotypes and happiness. For instance, authors of a recent study from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey examined the sleep patterns of hundreds of medical students. They found that those who adhered to lark schedules received higher grades in lectures and reported feeling happier.
According to a study conducted at Leipzig University in Germany, the emotional advantages of larks manifest in greater life satisfaction and lower vulnerability to mental health issues. Scientists report that owls are more likely than larks to suffer from depression, seasonal affective disorders, and often misuse psychoactive substances. The problem is compounded by the fact that owls not only sleep less but also experience more sleep-related issues.
The good news, according to Dr. Jarrett, is that a person’s chronotype is not something “carved in stone.” It is shaped by factors beyond our genes, such as family environment, professional roles, and daily schedules that demand certain behaviors from us. This plasticity, which goes beyond our genetic inheritance, allows for changes in one’s chronotype.
If You Want to Be a Lark, Become One
The expert advises those who wish to become larks to avoid using digital gadgets at night. Additionally, when going to bed, they should create a mental image of a reward that will motivate them to wake up earlier. This could be freshly brewed coffee, a leisurely walk before work, and so on.
“If you can find joy in life, and your days are rich and productive, it will likely be much easier for you to fall asleep on time and, like a lark, spring out of bed each morning,” concluded Christian Jarrett.
