Learn more, sleep better.
And how are some people the most productive at midnight when others struggle to stay awake past 10 p.m.?
“A sleep chronotype is your bodys naturalsleep-wake cycle, says Dr. Jade Wu, board-certified sleep medicine psychologist.
Some people are biologically hard-wired to be night owls, and others early risers.
Knowing your own chronotype is really helpful because you understand your natural sleep patterns, Dr. Wu says.
And understanding these patterns can help you sleep and function better during the day.
These play a big role in determining one’s optimal sleep-wake schedule.
Most people fall into one of four main chronotypes: lion, bear, wolf, or dolphin.
Lions
Lions are the early risers.
Theyre the ones who reply to emails before breakfast and hit their productivity peak before lunch.
Best time to focus: early morning.
Ideal bedtime: around 9-10 p.m.
Bears
Bears follow the rhythm of the sun.
They wake up and wind down with daylight and tend to be most productive mid-morning to early afternoon.
This is the most common chronotype, with 50% of the population falling under it.
Best time to focus: late morning and early afternoon.
Ideal bedtime: around 10-11 p.m.
Wolves
Wolves are naturally wired for later nights.
These are who you might describe as the night owl.
Wolves often struggle with traditional sleep patterns, which can leave them feeling groggy or unfocused in the mornings.
Best time to focus: late afternoon and evening.
Ideal bedtime: midnight or later.
Dolphins
Dolphins have irregular sleep patterns.
Theyre usually light sleepers and may struggle with insomnia.
Many dolphins tend to feel tired even after a full nights rest.
Their productivity window varies, but many do best mid-morning.
Dolphin chronotypes also tend to have trouble finding a perfect sleep schedule that works for them.
Best time to focus: mid to late morning
Ideal bedtime: around 11 p.m.
