Chronotype is an internal biological clock that regulates our sleeping and activity times. We distinguish two basic chronotypes - morning and evening, i.e. the owl and the lark (or in other words - night owls and early risers). Take the test and check who you are. Also learn how to live according to your own chronotype and what to do when life forces changes in the mode of functioning.

The world is divided into people who like to start their day early and those who prefer to end it late. As it turns out, the mode of the day we choose most often results from the biological rhythm of life, i.e. the chronotype, and depends on factors that we do not always have influence on.

Chronotype - what is it?

Chronotype is a kind of internal biological clock responsible for functioning during the day. It determines the times when a person becomes most active and those when the body needs rest.

The chronotype is closely related to the functioning of the brain. Neurons located above the optic nerves are responsible for it. They transmit external signals to the pituitary gland, pineal gland and hypothalamus, which then affect the level of hormones regulating the functioning of the entire body. There are two basic chronotypes - morning (lark type) and evening (owl type).

In general - larks are people who like to start their day early and go to bed fairly early. Owl-people prefer to wake up later, and are most active late in the evening, which is why they like to go to bed late.

Chronotype - what does it depend on?

The chronotype is an individual matter and does not have to depend on the lifestyle imposed on us by our duties. The biological clock is responsible for this, and it may be mainly influenced by personality factors, e.g. hereditary features. Very often, the chronotype is passed on from the parents. Age also has an influence on the biological clock - not only in terms of the body's requirements, but also changes in lifestyle at its various stages.

You know - older people go to bed earlier, younger people have more energy and are not tired in the evening. A fairly frequent determinant of a chronotype is the lifestyle to which we are used to and expectationssociety or school and professional duties (night learning, shift work, etc.).

Worth knowing

Night owls are smarter and more creative than early risers

Researchers at the University of Madrid have concluded that people who stand up later have higher scores on IQ tests than early risers. They are also more creative. They analyzed the natural circadian cycle of about 1,000 adolescents. 25% turned out to be larks, 30% were owls, and the rest were placed somewhere between these categories. Owls scored better on IQ tests.

Chronotype - better to be an owl or a lark?

It cannot be unequivocally stated that any of the chronotypes is better. It is an individual trait and if it is in line with the lifestyle and does not cause he alth problems - it should not be fought. The advantage of the larks is certainly the fact that the present world order just favors them. Generally accepted norms of work and study, habits, rules of social coexistence - all this makes the larks better at it.

Owls often find it harder to find themselves in the imposed order, so they cope best when they find a space in their life that suits them, e.g. they perform free professions or set up their own businesses, and thus adjust their working hours to individual needs. It is said that owl-people, despite the fact that they sleep for a long time, are more durable and effective in their work. Some people can do more during the day even than people with the morning chronotype.

Is it possible to change the chronotype and how to do it?

The most important thing for living in harmony with the chronotype is to maintain the biological balance. There is nothing wrong with going to bed late if you can sleep late the next day. Just as it is not bad to get up early if you sleep after long enough. There should be a balance between activity and relaxation at all times.

Interestingly, human chronotype changes with age. It is normal for young people to lead a different lifestyle to older people. In this case, the change of chronotype occurs smoothly and naturally. This means that one chronotype will probably not stay with us all our lives. Before we become older people, our daily rhythm can be changed.

Sometimes a change of the chronotype is even necessary, for example when professional duties or he alth problems require us to switch to a different mode of functioning. How to do it? The most important thing is the gradual change of the body to a new lifestyle. Sudden changes are not advisable and may cause more harm to your he alth, e.g. worsen your well-being andlower your physical condition, overwhelm the body and significantly reduce its immunity.

  • How do you turn into a lark?The hardest thing is to force yourself to fall asleep early. In order to learn this, it is necessary to eliminate factors that may delay sleep. Before going to bed, you need to calm down, do not eat too much, and after going to bed - not to get up anymore. Fatigue can be helped by reading, silence and dim lighting. In the morning, when the alarm clock rings, do not allow yourself to take extra naps, and do not take naps during the day. After getting out of bed, it is best to stimulate the body to act, e.g. with sports activity. When arranging the schedule of the day, we must try to complete the most important tasks in the first half of the day. The afternoon is supposed to be less demanding. Also, remember that as your bedtime and waking up times change, so do your eating times. According to chronobiologists, it may be easier to change the mode of operation if we fast for several hours and expose ourselves to bright light in the morning.
  • How do you turn a lark into an owl?First, extend the sleeping time. When it is time to wake up, we should not get up from bed, but lie in it for a while. When it is too early to get up, we should try to fall asleep again. The morning should be a time to wake up slowly and, for example, celebrate breakfast. When planning the day, important responsibilities should be included in the second part of the day, the first half of the day should be less active. If you get tired in the afternoon, try to fight it off with sports. When changing the rhythm of the day, do not forget to change the times of meals.
You must do it

[TEST] Check if you are an or a lark

Below is a short test to determine the chronotype. Answer all questions, writing down which answers there are more:

1. If you need to get up early the next morning:

a) you wake up naturally, without having to set the alarm clock,

b) it will be difficult, you will get up after a few wake-up calls.

2. When is the best time to work / learn?

a) in the morning,

b) in the evening.

3. You prefer social meetings to take place:

a) in the afternoon,

b) in the late evening hours.

4. You feel like having sex the most:

a) in the morning,

b) in the evening.

5. All-night party:

a) is a torment for you,

b) you love it.

6. Downwork:

a) you prefer to come earlier and leave earlier,

b) prefer to come later and stay until evening.

Most of the answers a) - You're the lark.You love to start your day early. You find it a waste of time to sleep late. What you have to do, you do earlier, because you have the most energy in the morning. In the afternoon you just rest. To be able to wake up early, you go to bed earlier - usually around 21-22 o'clock. You prefer to socialize in the afternoon or early evening hours.

Most of the answers b) - You are an owl.You find it difficult to get out of bed early, you cannot find yourself in the early morning reality. You love to sleep long and prefer night marathons. It is normal for you to work or study late in the evening or even at night. You feel at ease in nightlife. You are an extrovert and you like new sensations. Owl people tend to be more prone to anxiety and depression.

Category:

Psychology