The Early Bird May Get the Worm but Nighthawks Are More Intelligent and Creative
By Lauren Brose ‘15
Nighthawk/Night Owl: (n.) Someone who has a natural affinity with night. Insomniac, late night lover who burns the candle at both ends. (Source: Urban Dictionary)
Early Bird: (n.) Someone who I never was and never will never be.
It’s 1:29 AM on a Monday night and I am wide awake. While I can simply turn off my lights and sleep, I have zero desire to do so. In some form, being a night hawk (I prefer “night hawk” over “night owl” because let’s face it hawks are awesome) has never been a choice of mine. For as long as I can remember, I thrived best after dark.
My Dad used to tease me on Saturday mornings when I’d roll out of bed past 10. “While you were still sleeping, I had breakfast, went for a swim and managed to run a couple errands,” he’d boast. He also went to bed 5 hours before I did. It’s been asserted by health professionals that we should be getting between 7-9 hours of sleep every night in order to maintain a healthy life. Sleep is good. I’d even go as far as to say sleep is on my top 5 favorite things to do.
The real question: is staying up late an unproductive lifestyle choice?
Early risers are found to be happier, more successful, kinder and get better grades. Those who stay up late tend to also get up late, thus hindering them from having prolific mornings. The answer isn’t whether it is right or wrong—instead, it’s a fresh perspective on night owls that many might overlook.
Research has shown humans have an internal biological clock that we are able to consciously override. In other words, those who are night hawks or early birds made that decision entirely themselves. Centuries ago, when fire wasn’t a widespread commodity, traditional societies slept after dusk and got up with the rising sun. This owes itself to lacking resources that enabled sight. Those who had fire were able to navigate at night safely. This exemplifies the Theory of the Evolution of General Intelligence, which suggests intelligence has evolved over time to solve evolutionarily novel problems.
Case in point: traditional societies dealt with not having a way of seeing in the dark so they planned their entire days around the sun. Overcoming the issue— the evolutionarily novel problem— of not having light at night but having a desire to thrive in the darkness proves those who are habitually nocturnal were quicker to evolve in terms of intelligence. Therefore, it’s been suggested that those who stay up late tend to be more intelligent than those who do not. This isn’t some far fetched scenario I’ve drawn out to prove a point—it’s scientific fact.
Other findings on Night Hawks include having a higher IQ, more creativity, and a better intellectual stamina.
Additionally, people who display insomnious behaviors do have trouble committing to an earlier sleep schedule for legitimate reasons. A University of Alberta study observed two groups consisting of early and late night sleepers and found that those who stay up later experience a central nervous system drive aka your muscle strength peaking. I resonate deeply to this “second wind” as I tend to get tired around 3PM everyday. I tell myself, “you’re gonna get in bed before midnight tonight” and that never happens. Not for the lack of trying, but why bother when I have so much energy?
I notoriously stay up late at night and find myself getting up around the same time as my roommates. While we are supposed to average between 7-9 hours of sleep, I frequently push 6. This is how it’s been for as long as I can remember (not having a bedtime). I do a number of productive things during these hours as opposed to scrolling through social media news feeds and watching Netflix. I write–– namely for Trojans 360 or purely for enjoyment. I search out new songs to add to my #2AM playlist. With the day being so momentous, I frequently have issues with focusing on my tasks as well as prioritizing my time efficiently. With so much background noise and certain amounts of my attention being demanded of me, I work best when everyone sleeps.
At the moment, I cherish these blissfully peaceful hours on my own and if i’m completely honest, I prefer it this way. While it at times feels like a time of loneliness and vulnerability, it is also the most freeing. In my own quiet space, I get to think my own thoughts, contemplate life, and fully unwind before tomorrow begins.
Feel free to check out the ambient stuff I listen to during this time : ) Sometimes I fall asleep and wake up to this music–– that’s my favorite.
