Sleep Patterns and Styles: Night Owls Vs Morning People

I have always been really interested in one fascinating aspect of human nature – our sleep patterns and styles. Some people have the knack and enthusiasm for greeting the light of day with joy and energy. While there are others (like me) who thrive at night when all is still and quiet.

I guess you could almost say that it’s like we have two sleep teams: morning people and night owls. I have often asked myself. Why does this happen? So I have been doing a bit of reading on this topic and this is what I have come up with.

Sleep Patterns And Habits

The Internal Clock

Ok so apparently we all have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm. This helps our bodies know when it is time to be awake and alert and when it is time to rest and sleep. It follows a 24-hour cycle and affects things like our energy levels and body temperature throughout the day.

This rhythm helps us to stay in sync with the natural day-night cycle. We get sleepy at night and feel more active during the day. You could describe it as having a timekeeper inside of us that guides our sleep and wake-up schedule. This internal timekeeper has some flexibility so this accounts for why we have different sleep styles.

Genetics

Interestingly our genes also play a huge role in determining whether we are morning people or night owls. It’s in our DNA! So if you have early risers in your family then chances are you might be carrying the same wake-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn genes.

Lifestyle

Another interesting point is that the environment and daily habits also shape our sleep style. For example, work schedules, social commitments and daily routines can influence whether we become morning people or night owls.

Society’s Influence

Our ancestors had it easy because they were able to maintain a more natural sleep routine. Their sleep aligned with the rising of the sun and the setting of the sun. But in today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, our sleep patterns have become quite irregular. And this is due to the constant availability of artificial light and the demands of a busy lifestyle.

Finding Balance With Adequate Sleep

Now it’s important to address something important – sleep! It really doesn’t matter if you’re a night owl or a morning person. What is crucial for our well-being is that we get enough sleep. Adequate sleep helps us stay focussed, alert and healthy. So go ahead and embrace your unique sleep habits guilt-free but just remember to get enough sleep. And consider the following tips to make sure that you get optimal sleep regardless of whether you are a morning person or a night owl.

Stick to a Routine: Be consistent with your sleep schedule so that it aligns with your internal clock, promoting healthy sleep patterns.

Wake Up Happy: Begin your day with a peaceful morning routine as it will set the tone for the rest of the day

Sunlight Exposure: Get some natural sunlight in the morning to help regulate your natural sleep patterns.

Sleep Environment: Make sure that your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet. You really want your bedroom to be conducive to sleep.

Gradual Adjustment: If your commitments or work schedule change and you have to adjust your bedtime or wake-up routines. It’s best to do this gradually for a smoother transition.

Respect Your Rythm: Whenever you can, listen to your body’s natural sleep style and let it guide your daily plans to perform at your best.

Why I Embrace My Night Owl Vibes

Recently I decided to just go with it and embrace my night owl tendencies. But it wasn’t always this way for me. I used to feel guilty about not being a morning person but now I have just let go of the guilt. I stay up late being productive and then I sleep like a champ. Who knows maybe one day this will change. But for now, I am totally ok with being on team night owl and I’m enjoying the magic and serenity of the night.

So no matter what sleep style you embrace, remember to prioritise adequate sleep – it’s a real game changer for better sleep patterns!