Live data from Hacker News

Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

directorsblog.nih.gov

351–358 of 358 posts

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotally, at 51 and previously thought the same as you, I'm going to disagree. I'm closing in on two years of getting up at 5:00 am and it doesn't bother me anymore. I never thought it would be possible for me to adapt, but so far I have and I have no intention of changing. Time will tell.

Maybe there's a hormonal aspect to this? Do you think that's possible, as you're getting to be - please forgive my noting this - past reproductive age [menopause and/or lower testosterone levels come around this age AFAIK].

It's always possible. However, I forced this change. It didn't occur naturally over time.

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#352
post #291

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotally, at 51 and previously thought the same as you, I'm going to disagree. I'm closing in on two years of getting up at 5:00 am and it doesn't bother me anymore. I never thought it would be possible for me to adapt, but so far I have and I have no intention of changing. Time will tell.

People tend to wake earlier as they age, maybe that helped? I've noticed it already in my 30s, I can no longer sleep in so easily and have to get up, even if I'm tired. Unfortunately it is because older people tend to have poorer sleep quality in general (less time in deep sleep cycles) so that's a pretty big downside.

Possibly but I don't think so in my case. I've worked 9:30 am - 6:30 pm or later for most of my 25 year career. Stayed up until 2 am every night pretty much.

I really did force the change for myself and it totally sucked going through it. I still don't just jump out of bed and feel instantly great. It takes 30 minutes or so to get fully awake. For example, this morning I so did not want to get up because I stayed up until 1 am. However, I did get up at 5:30 am anyway. It was awful and I'm dragging today. Caffeine helps as well.

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#353

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotally, at 51 and previously thought the same as you, I'm going to disagree. I'm closing in on two years of getting up at 5:00 am and it doesn't bother me anymore. I never thought it would be possible for me to adapt, but so far I have and I have no intention of changing. Time will tell.

People's circadian rhythms change over the course of a lifetime very considerably. Trying to keep all age groups on the same schedule is actually a pretty bad idea. Check out the book Why We Sleep. I think especially how we treat adolescents, who are usually late shifted by 2 or 3 hours compared to adults, is going to look barbaric in another 30 years. People think that 9 AM is a "late start" for high school, but it…

I'm with you on all of this. It was an eye-opener visiting other countries (USA native here) that were more laid-back about getting to work and staying at work. Mexico City in particular was nice and relaxed when I worked there for a while.

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#354

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotally, at 51 and previously thought the same as you, I'm going to disagree. I'm closing in on two years of getting up at 5:00 am and it doesn't bother me anymore. I never thought it would be possible for me to adapt, but so far I have and I have no intention of changing. Time will tell.

Huh. Interesting stuff. Well, if mine changes, it changes I guess. I don't object to the idea of a more morning oriented schedule, it's just not who I have been up to this point in my life. And I'm not making any conscious effort to change, as I'm pretty happy with this mode. I like being awake in the wee hours of the morning. One of my favorite things to do is go bike riding (or maybe walking) at 3 or 4 am when nobo…

I was really forced into it by wanting to retain my job. If I wasn't working where I am, then I wouldn't have made the change. But I like working where I am just 8 minutes from my house, pretty good job security compared to the tech industry, pretty good benefits, everything else pretty good compared to other jobs in my career. That 8 minute drive is worth so much to me.

I work for a transportation company and there are a lot of field people that have moved in to c-level positions and have the "butts in seats" mentality and I think that's why after 12 years of 9:30 - 10:00 am starts, suddenly I get smacked with a "needs improvement" on my review. And our technology department is having big problems retaining talent.

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#355
post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve upvoted your comment but I would disagree with saying “ your clock is messed up ”. The OP’s clock is fine and acting as it it’s ‘programmed’ to. What’s messed up is the way society places a higher value on the circadian rhythms of early-risers over those of night owls. I recall hearing a theory that having individuals with differing circadian rhythms within the same social group provided an evolutionary advantag…

Yes, that theory is actually talked about in the book "Why We Sleep" which is mentioned in the comment you are responding too. "Why We Sleep" and "The Body Keeps the Score" are two of the most helpful books I've ever read (and both found by reading HN book suggestions).

seconded "The Body Keeps the Score"

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#356

Earlier quoted context omitted.

from that why we sleep podcast, weed sleep is pretty bad sleep. the withdrawals (not being able to sleep) are pretty bad too. not that i don't use it too. they said cbd might be better, but i haven't bothered.

Do you experience weed hangovers?

probably, in some much less perceptible way than an alcohol one

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#357

Earlier quoted context omitted.

from that why we sleep podcast, weed sleep is pretty bad sleep. the withdrawals (not being able to sleep) are pretty bad too. not that i don't use it too. they said cbd might be better, but i haven't bothered.

Do you experience weed hangovers?

At least i don't. The only thing i do notice is, that the first initial 5-10 minutes in the morning are more slow. But i don't know if thats how it should be when you wake up :D

Re: Early riser or night owl? New study may help to explain the difference

#358
post #39

I've been a night owl my whole life, with the exception of that period during secondary school where I was so depressed in the evenings I went to bed early and as a consequence woke up super early. I have followed every advice, meditation (1yr), excercise (3*1.5hrs per week for 18 months), staving off screens after 18:00 (8mo), no caffiene, no sugar, no food of any kind, I also tried: too much food, cooling my body d…

My kid used to go to bed at 1 am (we are both night owls but this city is very ealry-riser-friendly), she is not 2 yet.

Took some serious effort to shift it back to something like 1030/11pm. So no, not necessarily a kid based on my experience.

And to clarify, we go to bed when she does.

Post reply on HN