As days turn and routines shift, conventional ways of living are slowly seeping into modern life. The age-old expression, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,” has been a long-standing mantra, passed down through generations as a blueprint for success.
Yet, in an era dominated by smartphones, 24/7 connectivity, and international work schedules, the line between early risers and night owls has blurred.
The human population splits into two circles: early risers, who greet the dawn brimming with energy, and night owls, whose sharpest thinking emerges in the hush of late hours. It turns out our biology does not operate on a one-size-fits-all schedule. Our internal sleep-wake cycles are as individual as our fingerprints. But who’s really winning the battle of the clocks?
Research indicates that our internal clock isn’t just a habit; it’s largely inherited, with genetics influencing approximately 50% of our tendency toward being a morning person or a night owl. Age is another factor. Teenagers and young adults are more likely to stay up late, due to a natural shift in the circadian cycle during adolescence. By middle age, most people naturally drift toward morning productivity.
“My sibling and I have completely opposite routines,” said Sara Rahman, 27, an intern at a multinational company. “She pulls all-nighters during exam weeks and seems perfectly fine the next day, whereas I still need my good, old 9 hours of sleep just to avoid waking up grumpy.” Sara laughed as she added that, in her cousin clan, she has earned the reputation of being the ‘grandma’ for her early bedtime habits.
On the other hand, night owls are often stereotyped as lazy or even demonised. Their brains simply operate on a different schedule, hitting peak creativity and focus when the rest of the world is winding down. Late nights become fertile ground for problem-solving, writing, coding, or brainstorming, free from the interruptions and distractions of daytime life.
Studies even suggest that night owls tend to score higher on measures of intelligence and creativity, proving that productivity is not bound to the rising sun.
Rizvee Chowdhury, 23, a 2nd-year university student and freelancer, admitted that his brain simply refuses to cooperate during the day, no matter how hard he tries. “I actively avoid taking morning classes. Honestly, I even try to keep interactions as minimal as possible during the day, it’s just not my cup of tea,” he nudged.
For Rizvee, productivity doesn’t follow the traditional clock; it emerges when the world quiets down. Late-night hours become his most focused and efficient periods, whether he’s making study notes, designing, or brainstorming ideas for freelance projects.
However, every lifestyle comes with a cost. Those who push themselves to burn the midnight oil risk running on dangerously little sleep. Night owls who are forced into early schedules often experience ‘social jetlag,’ a disconnect between their natural circadian rhythm and society’s demands.
The consequences can include chronic fatigue, mood swings, and a higher inclination to metabolic issues. In fact, a 2019 study in Chronobiology International found that night owls are more prone to diabetes, heart disease, and depression than their early-bird peers.
Alternatively, early risers, once thought to have a natural advantage, now face new challenges in today’s fast-paced world. While their mornings remain productive, the constant demand to stay connected and responsive creates immense pressure, often leaving them with a lingering sense of falling behind.
Notifications, emails, and social media blur the boundaries between work and rest, turning what used to be sacred morning hours into another arena of obligation. Even those naturally aligned with the sunrise can find themselves battling fatigue, stress and the subtle burnout of trying to keep pace in a 24/7 society.
To settle the debate, it goes back to embracing subjectivity. The solution lies in understanding individual patterns, specifically the body’s internal preference for activity at certain times. Early risers can maximise their natural alertness without overcommitting to strict schedules, while night owls can gradually structure their tasks around peak evening productivity.
