Night Owls or Early Birds: Science Reveals Who Perform Best
Deepak Rajeev | Nov 28, 2025, 15:25 IST
Which is better, being an early bird or a night owl?
( Image credit : Pexels )
New research challenges the notion that early risers are more productive. Studies suggest night owls possess cognitive advantages. However, this comes at a health cost. Evening chronotypes face increased risks of cardiovascular issues and metabolic syndromes. Aligning sleep with societal schedules is recommended for long-term well-being. Understanding your body's internal clock is key.
Highlights
- Emerging research indicates that chronotype, which reflects our inherent circadian rhythm, influences sleep patterns.
- A study from Imperial College London found that 'night owls' scored higher on cognitive tests.
- But the night owl chronotype is linked to increased health risks.
- Individual chronotypes differ. Hence, to each his own.
- Nonetheless, it is be recommended to align sleep with societal schedules for long-term wellbeing.
A strong stereotype that is prevalent in our society is the idea that early risers are much more productive than night owls. People argue that the wee hours are the time period in which the environment is calm and brain is fresh.
However, to what degree is this argument true? Are the night owls not performing well cognitively, compared to early birds? If you are a night owl, you might be curious to learn what are the benefits of staying up late when the world around you falls into deep slumber. We have got it all covered in this article.
![Chronotype Reflects our Inherent Circadian Rhythm]()
Emerging research has been proving that our chronotype plays a crucial role in deciding our sleep patterns and schedules. MDPI, an academic journal published from Switzerland defines chronotype as the biologically driven patterns that manages our natural sleep-wake cycles, peak performance time periods and alertness.
In short, chronotype represents our inherent circadian rhythm and it can be considered as the brain’s clock. In fact, these chronotypes can actually impact our cognitive functioning as well.
![Night Owls Have Cognitive Advantages in Certain Areas]()
A groundbreaking study conducted by the researchers from Imperial College London evaluated data from more than 26,000 adults. Large scale cognitive tests were conducted measuring their intelligence, memory, speed of mental processing and reasoning.
The concluding result found that adults who identified themselves as ‘night owls’ scored much higher than their ‘early riser’ counterparts. Indeed, people having intermediate chronotypes i.e., those who don’t fall in the extremes also performed better.
Therefore, it could be argued that night owls actually have cognitive advantages in certain areas. But they have to pay some price for this slight edge through their health. Let’s learn how.
![The Deep Calm of the Night Comes With a Cost]()
Studies have been consistently reporting that when our internal clock doesn’t align with our daily schedule, it can create chronic stress on our metabolism and overall health. A study published in National Library of Medicine proved that people with evening chronotype had higher cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
Furthermore, evening types were more susceptible to visceral obesity, metabolic syndromes and insulin resistance, even when other risk factors were controlled. Thus, the higher cognitive performance and better flexibility of time provided by the night’s calm literally takes a toll on our health.
![Individual Chronotypes are Different- To Each His Own]()
Till now no strong evidence has been unearthed to prove that our natural tendency to be an evening or morning person can be changed. Nevertheless, if we consistently follow a strict sleep timing our body will gradually adapt.
One of the most dangerous things that many individuals do is consistently change their sleep timings. Those working in a corporate environment go through this practice frequently. We will lose not only the sleep quality, but our mental and physical health will also be very adversely affected.
If long-term health is your goal, then it would be recommended to align sleep with societal schedules. Additionally, try to identify your body’s internal clock and align your sleep schedules accordingly. In the end, the overall mental and physical wellbeing provided by a regular sleep pattern would be better than the bursts of cognitive peaks provided by late night shifts.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
However, to what degree is this argument true? Are the night owls not performing well cognitively, compared to early birds? If you are a night owl, you might be curious to learn what are the benefits of staying up late when the world around you falls into deep slumber. We have got it all covered in this article.
Chronotype- Our Natural Circadian Rhythm
Chronotype Reflects our Inherent Circadian Rhythm
( Image credit : Freepik )
In short, chronotype represents our inherent circadian rhythm and it can be considered as the brain’s clock. In fact, these chronotypes can actually impact our cognitive functioning as well.
What Latest Research Says?
Night Owls Have Cognitive Advantages in Certain Areas
( Image credit : Freepik )
The concluding result found that adults who identified themselves as ‘night owls’ scored much higher than their ‘early riser’ counterparts. Indeed, people having intermediate chronotypes i.e., those who don’t fall in the extremes also performed better.
Therefore, it could be argued that night owls actually have cognitive advantages in certain areas. But they have to pay some price for this slight edge through their health. Let’s learn how.
The Night Owl’s Health Trade-off
The Deep Calm of the Night Comes With a Cost
( Image credit : Freepik )
Furthermore, evening types were more susceptible to visceral obesity, metabolic syndromes and insulin resistance, even when other risk factors were controlled. Thus, the higher cognitive performance and better flexibility of time provided by the night’s calm literally takes a toll on our health.
Can I Change My Chronotype?
Individual Chronotypes are Different- To Each His Own
( Image credit : Freepik )
One of the most dangerous things that many individuals do is consistently change their sleep timings. Those working in a corporate environment go through this practice frequently. We will lose not only the sleep quality, but our mental and physical health will also be very adversely affected.
If long-term health is your goal, then it would be recommended to align sleep with societal schedules. Additionally, try to identify your body’s internal clock and align your sleep schedules accordingly. In the end, the overall mental and physical wellbeing provided by a regular sleep pattern would be better than the bursts of cognitive peaks provided by late night shifts.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Are high IQ people night owls?
Some research show that people with high IQ are night owls. This might be due to the quietness of the night that supports creativity and great ideas. - Do people with higher IQ need more sleep?
It has not been scientifically proven that people with higher IQ need more sleep. In fact, many of them sleep a bit less due to strong work ethics and responsibilities. - Are night owls introverts?
Many of the introverts find peace during the quietness of the night. They may be overwhelmed with stimulation during the day as a result of socialising, crowds and noise.