Do early risers live longer?
The old maxim of "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" implies there is a close correlation between rising early and feeling fit. But do scientists agree? Do early birds really live longer? This article examines the evidence on the sleep-wake patterns, chronotypes, and how these influence longevity in order to get to the truth on whether waking early contributes significantly to life.
Understanding Chronotypes and Sleep Patterns
It helps first to be familiar with Chronotypes. Your body has a natural preference for when to sleep and wake up. There are two predominant Chronotypes: there are "morning larks" and "night owls." There exists a middle position, but for our purposes, we'll discuss the two extremes.
Your Chronotype depends significantly on your genes but also on environmental influences such as light exposure and schedules of social life. It is important to know your Chronotype since forcing yourself onto a sleep schedule that does not suit your nature will have undesirable implications on your health.
The Sleep and Longevity Research
There have been many studies that have examined the interaction between sleep duration, quality of sleep, and longevity. Too little and too much sleep have each independently been linked with higher risks of mortality. The "sweet spot" for most adults appears to be from 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
But the timing of sleep, not necessarily the length of time, could also be important. Some studies indicate that conforming your sleep schedule to your inborn circadian rhythm is essential for peak health. This implies that waking up early when, by nature, you are a night owl could be bad.
The Social Jetlag Factor
Social jetlag describes the difference between one's internal clock and one's social schedule. An instance of this is a night owl whose workday starts early in the morning on weekdays. Chronic social jetlag is associated with numerous health conditions, such as metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness.
So, the possible advantages of waking up early may be compromised if that means constantly struggling against your inbuilt sleep tendencies and facing social jetlag.
Lifestyle Factors that Accompany Early Rising
It should also be noted that early rising tends to be accompanied by other habits for a healthy lifestyle. Individuals who wake up early could be exercising regularly, having a nutritious breakfast, and following a daily schedule. It may be these habits, and not early rising, that are leading to longevity.
The Drawbacks of Being a Night Owl (in an Early Bird World)
In a culture that tends to reward early risers, night owls have some disadvantages. Night owls have difficulty performing optimally during the usual working day, are likely to experience chronic sleep restriction because of early rising times, and are stigmatized for not working like "morning people." All of these factors could be detrimental to their health and well-being.
Adapting Your Chronotype for Improved Health
Whether you are an early riser or a night owl, the aim should be to have a sleep schedule that harmonizes with your innate chronotype as much as possible. Here are some pointers:
Listen to Your Body: Observe when you feel tired and when you are most alert.
Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Sleep and wake up roughly at the same time daily, including on weekends.
Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Ensure that your bedroom remains dark, quiet, and cool.
Establish Good Sleep Habits: Don't consume caffeinated substances and hard liquor before going to bed, and avoid watching television before bed.
Overall habits of health are a key factor.
Keep in mind that sleep is only one of the pieces of the longevity puzzle. Diet, exercise, stress control, and genetics are also major contributors. Working on habits of health, not necessarily attempting to be an early bird, is the best way to live long and be healthy.
Practical Support for Healthy Lifestyle
Having a clean and tidy home environment can do a great deal towards promoting proper wellness and stress relief. If it becomes difficult for you to manage daily chores, using services such as Sparkly Maid Miami may be an option. Offloading the chores will give you time and energy for other necessary aspects of your wellness, like exercise and unwinding.
In addition, investing in a deep cleaner for sporadic systematic cleaning and in an apartment cleaner periodic maintenance will keep your living space clean and stress-free.
While waking up early equals living longer sounds attractive, the truth is not that straightforward. There isn't much evidence to indicate that waking up early will necessarily extend your lifespan. What matters most is to get to know what your chronotype is, maximize the quality of your sleep, and concentrate on your total wellness.
If you prefer dedicating your early morning time to work but are overwhelmed by domestic chores, take into account the numerous advantages of contracting Sparkly Maid Miami. Offloading chores will maximize your time schedule and provide more energy for more pressing objectives. In conclusion, prioritize optimization of sleep according to your needs, and build a healthy lifestyle – these are the real keys to a long and satisfying life.
