Forget 5 AM! Late Risers Have Better Brains, Says Study
For years, people have believed that waking up early leads to a healthier and more successful life. However, a recent study challenges this idea, showing that those who wake up later may have better brain function and productivity levels.
Study Findings: Night Owls vs. Early Birds
A new study conducted by researchers at Imperial College London analyzed data from over 26,000 participants from the UK Biobank. The results suggest that individuals who naturally stay up late and wake up later—often called “night owls”—tend to perform better in cognitive tests compared to early risers, also known as “morning larks.”
The study, published in BMJ Public Health, found that night owls had significantly higher cognitive scores. When compared to morning larks, evening types scored about 13.5% higher in one group and 7.5% higher in another. Meanwhile, individuals with a mixed sleep pattern, known as intermediate sleepers, also performed better than early risers, scoring around 10.6% and 6.3% higher in cognitive tests.
Sleep Duration and Brain Function
One of the key takeaways from the study is that sleep duration plays a crucial role in brain performance. Researchers found that getting between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night is ideal for maintaining strong cognitive functions, such as memory, reasoning, and information processing speed. On the other hand, sleeping for less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours negatively impacts brain function.
The Role of Insomnia in Cognitive Performance
Interestingly, the study also examined the effects of insomnia on cognitive ability. Although insomnia can disrupt sleep patterns, researchers found that it did not significantly lower cognitive scores among participants. This suggests that while sleep quality is important, the natural tendency to be a night owl or morning lark may have a stronger impact on cognitive performance.
What This Means for Sleep and Productivity
These findings highlight the importance of understanding individual sleep preferences. The researchers emphasized that managing sleep patterns proactively is essential for brain health. Co-study leader Professor Daqing Ma from Imperial’s Department of Surgery and Cancer stated that policy changes should be considered to help the general population improve their sleep habits.
Conclusion
This study sheds new light on the long-standing belief that waking up early leads to success. Instead, it suggests that night owls may have a natural advantage when it comes to brain function and productivity. As sleep research continues to evolve, these insights could help individuals and organizations rethink sleep schedules to optimize performance and well-being.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
