A Night Owl in an Early Bird World
My sleep schedule has been a wreck since I was 10 years old.
For a long time, I thought I was the only one with this problem, but I found out night owls are a lot more common than you may think.
My nightly routine looks like a train wreck to almost all of my friends. Let me take you through it. Usually, I take a nap around 6 p.m. and wake at 9 p.m. For some reason, my body completely shuts down at this time and I can’t get anything done; the only way to combat this is a nap.
As you can tell, my naps aren’t just a 15-minute power grab. When I nap…I nap. This is like my pre-work ritual. After the nap, I’m productive for the next 7 hours. This is the time I write my papers, check my schedule, and catch up on recorded lectures (shout out to Zoom).
When most people do this, their work is subpar at best. For me, I will write an entire paper in 2 hours and get a 95. How I do this? No clue, but I’m not questioning the system.
After my crazed energy burst, I will usually go to sleep around 4 or 5 a.m. Some days, I might not be able to fall asleep until 10 a.m. no matter how hard I try.
Now, you may be wondering how this is possible. Don’t worry, I’m here to explain some of the science behind sleep as well as tips for my fellow night owls!
What’s the science behind night owls and early birds?
First things first, everyone’s sleep patterns are determined by their circadian rhythm. According to the Sleep Foundation, “Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, running in the background to carry out essential functions and processes.”
In basic terms, the circadian rhythm works hand-in-hand with your brain. Light and your surroundings at specific times are supposed to help signal your brain to be alert and awake. For some, this works effortlessly. For others, their circadian rhythm doesn’t match with the rest of the world. It’s important to know that your own rhythm can change over your lifetime.
There isn’t much known outside the fact of the circadian rhythm, but scientists believe it’s related to genetics, personality, and underlying medical conditions. According to the Sleep Foundation, night owls are infrequent finds: “It is rare among the general population—affecting just 1 or 2 people out of every 1,000—but impacts up to 16% of teens.”
Why do I choose to stay up late?
I don’t know why, but ever since I was a kid, I loved nighttime in general. I’d challenge myself to stay up all night watching Disney Channel on the weekends. I’d hear the birds chirp outside and see the sun peering through my window, and I’d immediately head to bed.
Now, I just love the silence of night. It’s like you’re the only one awake, and that gives me the feeling that I can accomplish anything. No distractions. My brain also just seems more passionate and effective during the late hours and really helps me get everything done.
A few go-to tips for my fellow night owls.
Know you’re not alone.
Sometimes, people will judge your natural sleep schedule, and you have to be okay with that. Many of my friends don’t understand my personal lifestyle, but they learned to accept it. There are a lot more people just like you out there, no matter how lonely it feels.
Coffee is your best friend.
No, seriously, I mean it. Coffee is basically a part of me at this point. The only way I can make it through a normal day is with caffeine by my side.
Save your daunting tasks for the night.
This may be stressful leaving it for later, but trust me. The progress and quality will be so much better when you’re focused in your element.
Use the weekends as your sleep catch-up days.
An actual lifesaver. Some Saturdays I may sleep in until 4 p.m., and I couldn’t feel better. Listen to your body, and don’t force yourself to socialize one weekend if you need rest.
Let your friends know about your irregular sleep schedule.
This is IMPORTANT. When your people know, they’ll know when not to bother you. None of my friends call me until at least noon and respect my need for sleep.
Make appointments and plans in the afternoon or evening.
No, you won’t sound weird. With my disabilities, I have many checkups and health visits. Each time I go up to the desk, I make it clear I want a late afternoon.
If you need to sleep early, try melatonin.
Specifically, I want you to try the melatonin gummies. In high school, I tried just the regular capsules and nothing happened. A year ago, I tried the gummies and they work magically.
Well, now you know about my chaotic nightlife! Keep in mind there is a fine line between a late-night sleeper and getting no sleep at all. If you aren’t getting your 8 hours in some way, it’s always smart to get an expert’s opinion.
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Abbey C.
Copy Editor
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Abbey is an icee and horror movie addict just trying to major in visual journalism. She loves music, photography, and possibly every type of dog that exists. When she isn’t at work or class, you can find her binge watching The Office, eating Mexican food, laughing at her own jokes, or at a local trivia night.
If Abbey is ever up before nine in the morning, she didn’t fall asleep the night before. Her favorite ways to stay active are playing volleyball, running away from her problems, and walking The Rec’s track with her friends. Her dream is to become a photographer and writer for a major magazine or newspaper.
