Neither is inherently "better"; being an early bird or night owl has pros and cons, with early birds often aligning better with standard schedules and showing higher reported happiness, while night owls often thrive creatively at night but can struggle with early mornings, though the key factor for health is getting sufficient, quality sleep aligned with your natural rhythm. The ideal is a healthy sleep schedule, whether early or late, that fits your life, but society often favors early risers, creating challenges for night owls.
According to The Economist, In a study conducted in 2012 by Renée Biss and Lynn Hasher, then both at the University of Toronto, early birds reported feeling happier and healthier. Night owls, their nocturnal opposites, tend to have less sleep, which can weigh on their mood and health—as well as their productivity.
Studies show that night owls and those who wake up later actually are smarter and more creative than their early rising counterparts. They also have higher IQs according to The Independent. Unfortunately, night owls have slightly lower academic scores than early risers (by about 8%).
Some evidence suggests that high IQ is associated with later sleep patterns. However, it is unclear whether the relationship between IQ and later sleep is due to biological or social effects, such as the timing of working hours.
Assuming you have a life schedule that allows you to pick, it would be better to sleep early and wake up early. The reason for this is that the body follows a circadian rhythm that is sensitive to light when it comes to sleep.
Gen Z stays up late due to a combination of technology (blue light, endless content), significant stress and anxiety (FOMO, financial/global worries), biological shifts (natural teenage circadian rhythm), and "revenge bedtime procrastination," where they sacrifice sleep for personal time, often in bed, scrolling social media. This digital-heavy, high-stress lifestyle creates overstimulation and a misalignment with natural sleep patterns, leading to chronic sleep deprivation, notes the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Health Foundation.
The 10-3-2-1-0 rule is a popular sleep hygiene guideline that creates a countdown for winding down before bed, advising: 10 hours without caffeine, 3 hours without big meals or alcohol, 2 hours without work or stressful activities, 1 hour without screens (phones, TV, computers), and aiming for 0 snoozes in the morning, promoting better sleep quality by reducing stimulants and preparing the body and mind for rest.
No, an IQ of 97 is not considered dumb; it falls squarely in the average range (90-109), indicating typical cognitive abilities, though some tests might place it slightly below the exact midpoint of 100. An IQ score of 97 means you performed better than 42% of people, and due to the test's margin of error, your score could be anywhere from the high 80s to the mid-100s, still within normal intelligence.
The koala is famous for sleeping around 20-22 hours a day, which is about 90% of the day, due to their low-energy diet of eucalyptus leaves that requires extensive digestion. Other extremely sleepy animals include the sloth (up to 20 hours) and the brown bat (around 20 hours), with some snakes like the ball python also sleeping up to 23 hours daily.
Night owls tend to get less sleep
The reason why night owls tended to be more depressed, according to the study, could be the result of their general lack of sleep. Meaning they don't have different white matter integrity just because they're born with it.
A split of personalities
A greater proportion of night owls have been found to exhibit traits of extraversion, narcissism, Machiavellism, impulsivity, novelty-seeking, and risk-taking. Meanwhile, we tend to think of early birds in terms of being conscientious, disciplined, and emotionally stable.
The Top 10 Most Intelligent Birds
Some mental skills are sharpest at different ages, with many not peaking until age 40 or later. Short-term memory is strongest at age 25, stays steady until 35, and then starts to decline. Emotional understanding peaks during middle age, while vocabulary and crystallized intelligence peak in the 60s and 70s.
Higher rates of anxiety and depression
One possible reason is that being a night owl is associated with higher stress levels and poor sleep quality Link is external, Link opens in new window — two risk factors for mental health disorders.
And it's also not the first to suggest the early birds may, in fact, reign supreme when it comes to health: Compared to their nighttime compatriots, morning larks have been shown to have better cardiovascular health, less risk of diabetes, and slower cognitive decline in middle age—all of which might factor into their ...
Depending on one's age and individual needs, the National Sleep Foundation (USA) states that adults need seven to nine hours of good quality sleep per night to remain healthy and alert. School-age children require between nine and eleven hours, while older adults may need only seven to eight.
The longest time a human being has gone without sleep is 11 days and 25 minutes. The world record was set by American 17-year-old Randy Gardner in 1963. When the experiment ended, Gardner had been awake for 264 hours and 25 minutes.
The answer is “probably.” Research has shown that many animals experience a sleep phase similar to humans known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is closely associated with dreaming. This phase is characterized by increased brain activity and is when most vivid dreams occur.
Over 125 - Only 5% of people have an IQ this high. Over 130 - Only 2.5% of people have an IQ this high. Over 135 - You are in the top 1%. raw IQ score.
Studies have shown that intelligence has a genetic component, but they have not conclusively identified any single genes that have major roles in differences in intelligence. It is likely that intelligence involves many genes that each make only a small contribution to a person's intelligence.
Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump: At an early age, Forrest is deemed to have a below-average IQ of 75. He has an endearing character and shows devotion to his loved ones and duties, character traits that bring him into many life-changing situations.
Yes, the Navy SEAL sleep trick (an 8-minute power nap with elevated legs) is a real technique for quick rest, popularized by former SEAL Jocko Willink, that helps improve alertness and reduce fatigue, though its effectiveness depends on individual relaxation skills and it's not a substitute for full nighttime sleep. The method involves lying down, elevating your feet above your heart (on a chair or couch), relaxing facial muscles, dropping shoulders, and clearing your mind for about 8-10 minutes to promote relaxation and blood flow, preventing grogginess.
In his piece, he revealed that through his years of research, he's found that rumination is the biggest thing that causes poor sleep. He says that being worried about something at night has affected his own ability to fall asleep.
Stick to a sleep schedule
The recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult is at least seven hours. Most people don't need more than eight hours in bed to be well rested. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle.