Early Bird or Night Owl?

In general, when it comes to sleep cycles, people fall into two categories: early birds or night owls. Researchers now believe that there is more than just two categories, and these categories or chronotypes reveal much more about a person’s natural sleep cycle than their disposition to sleep and wakefulness.
 
Dr. Michael Breus, PhD, author of The Power of When claims everyone’s body has been programmed to function best at certain times of the day, depending on your chronotype. He classifies four types: Lion (early morning), Wolf (evening) Bear (somewhere in between lion and wolf) and Dolphin (poor sleepers). Dr. Breus offers an online quiz to help you determine your chronotype at https:// thepowerofwhenquiz.com
 
Dr. Breus claims these classifications not only help determine an individual’s circadian cycle (sleep/wakefulness cycle), but can shed light on your own biological clock and when your body has been programmed to function at optimal levels for productivity, creativity, energy level, metabolic rate and even sexuality. In fact, trying to be ‘an early bird’ when you are really a ‘night owl’, will only make you feel like you are permanently jet lagged. His book ‘The Power of When” sheds light on all of the above and provides tips to understanding optimal sleep patterns.
 
Working with your own biological clock, rather than against it can have a huge impact on your mental and physical health, your energy level and your motivation.
Knowing when your body is programmed to function optimally can help you time various activities in your day to maximize everything from metabolizing food to choosing the right time to do your work outs. For more info, check out Dr. Breus’ book.