Have you ever felt more productive in the morning, while your friends are more excited when night falls? This phenomenon has to do with the circadian rhythm of each individual, which divides people into two main groups: early birds and night owls. Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages, and neither one is absolutely better than the other.1,2,3
Definition of Early Bird and Night Owl
Early bird is a term intended for people who tend to be productive and excited about their activities in the morning. People with this type are also known as morning people. They will usually go to bed early and wake up early the next day.1,2
The opposite of early bird, night owl or often called "kalong" is a type of person who is active at night, even before morning. These night owls prefer to stay up late and be productive when doing activities at night.1,2
Excess
Early Bird Advantages:1,2,3
- Have more time to interact with others because they are active in the morning to the evening.
- More focus and concentration in activities at school, college, or work.
- Have the opportunity to exercise in the morning or evening.
- Tend to have more positive and stable emotions.
Night Owl Advantages :1,2,3
- It is more active and has a lot of energy at night.
- Many creative workers such as artists, writers, or designers are night owls because they find it easier to get ideas at night.
- Have good cognitive abilities and memory, especially at night.
Deficiency
Disadvantages of Early Bird
- Tends to run out of energy and be sleepy towards the afternoon or evening.
- It is difficult to follow activities carried out at night. 1,2,3
Cons of Night Owl
- It is difficult to get up early and carry out activities from morning to noon.
- Often skip breakfast and morning exercise because he still sleeps in the morning.
- The habit of staying up late is often associated with the consumption of caffeinated beverages or alcohol, which can increase the risk of diabetes, obesity, and depression if done continuously.1,2,3
Conclusion
Being an early bird or night owl is not a problem as long as a person is able to manage their time well every day. The most important thing is to maintain a regular sleep pattern, meet the needs of 7-9 hours of sleep per day, and implement a healthy lifestyle such as eating nutritious, exercising regularly, and managing stress well so that the body stays healthy and daily activities run smoothly.1,2
References:
1. Adrian, K. Getting to Know the Terms Early Bird and Night Owl. November 13, 2024. https://www.alodokter.com/mengenal-istilah-early-bird-dan-night-owl
2. Coelho, S. Is It Better to Be a Night Owl or Early Bird?. Healthline. October 25, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/night-owl-vs-early-bird
3. Dinisari, MC. Characteristics of 'Night Owl' and 'Early Bird' Types. Bisnis Style. 05 Juli 2024. https://lifestyle.bisnis.com/read/20240705/106/1779694/ciri-ciri-orang-tipe-night-owl-dan-early-bird