By Gail Marsh
Are you the type who springs out of bed at the crack of dawn, ready to seize the day? Or do you find your energy peaks later, making you more of a night owl? (I previously wrote about this topic and the challenges it can bring to RVing couples. You can read the article here.)
The debate between early risers and late risers is as old as time, and both lifestyles come with their own unique sets of benefits and challenges. We’d love to hear from you in our poll: Are you an early riser or a late riser?
Early riser benefits
Productivity boost. Many early risers find that they are most productive in the morning when there are fewer distractions, and their minds are fresh.
Health benefits. Early risers often enjoy a healthier lifestyle. They tend to have more regular sleep patterns, which contributes to better mental and physical health.
Peace and quiet. Mornings are typically quieter, allowing for peaceful reflection, exercise, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.
Routine and consistency. Establishing a morning routine can create a sense of order and predictability, which can be comforting and lead to better time management.
Challenges
Social life. Early risers might find it challenging to stay out late for social events, as their bodies are programmed to wind down earlier in the evening.
Sleep deprivation. If early risers don’t go to bed early enough, they risk not getting sufficient sleep, leading to fatigue and decreased performance.
Late riser benefits
Creativity and focus. Many late risers experience a surge of creativity and focus in the evening or late at night. This can be an ideal time for brainstorming, problem-solving, or engaging in artistic pursuits.
Flexible schedules. Late risers often thrive in jobs or environments that offer flexible schedules, allowing them to work when they are most alert and efficient.
Social engagement. Late risers might find it easier to maintain an active social life, as they are more likely to be awake and energetic during evening gatherings and events.
Challenges
Morning obligations. Late risers might struggle with early morning commitments such as school, work, or appointments, leading to potential conflicts with traditional 9-to-5 schedules.
Health implications. Irregular sleep patterns associated with late rising can lead to sleep deprivation, which can impact overall health and well-being.
Negative perceptions. Society often values early risers, and late risers might face stigma or misconceptions about their productivity and work ethic.
Share your preference
We want to hear from you! Are you an early bird or a late riser? Participate in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.
MORE POLLS LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- About what time do you most often go to bed at night?
- What time do you usually eat dinner (aka supper)?
- Do you set an alarm to wake up in the morning?
- Do you like to RV travel with a planned itinerary or just be spontaneous?
RVDT2707
As a retired dairy farmer my body does not understand sleeping past 5:00. What is frustrating is the world around doesn’t start until later. But I can get things done with no one to bother me as long as I don’t make noise. Quiet hours!!
I completely understand, Rob. I also grew up on a dairy farm and somehow 5:00 is also the magic hour for me, too!
0530. Get stuff done without distraction. Spouse is late bird. I already have the worm.
20 years in the military made me into an early riser and been that way forever. Like the mornings and all it brings. The wife not so much she’s the night owl.
Even though I’ve been retired for 11 years, I still get up before 6:30. If I do happen to sleep in until 8AM, I feel tired the rest of the day.
Even as a child I was always an early riser and many of my jobs had early start times. My last job had a starting time of 5am, after going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment I wasn’t able to wake before 8 or 9 am. But gradually over a few years I am awake every morning before 5.the problem is. When traveling around the country I still wake up by 5 am Florida time, rather inconvenient when in California. Fortunately I can fall back to sleep after an hour or so.
Our cats get us up early.
I’m an early riser and very rarely cannot sleep more than 8 hours. My spouse is a late riser. It limits what I can do inside the RV before she wakes up. And we rarely have breakfast together.
Now that I’ve retired, I get up when I feel like it.
Early bird married to a night owl…
In my younger days I could sleep until noon…..now I cant seem to sleep after 6:30 – 7.00.
Another retired dairy farmer. Up early. Always got to work between 5 and 6AM when I was a wage slave. Fewer distractions but no one I needed to interact with was ever available at that time.
Extraverts tend to be night owls; introverts, morning doves.
I am 10 minutes early for everything, including mornings.
Even as a kid, Mom could not get me up in the AM and I could not get to sleep in the PM. Army and 8 to 5 work days were agony for me. In management I would get to work at 9 or later but could really get things done after all others went home and would work ’til 9 PM. Retired I go in from my shop at 2:00 am and sleep from, hopefully, 5 Am to whenever. In the 8 t0 5 world it makes appointments sometimes difficult. Wish I was an early bird, but I sure like the evenings when no one else is around in my world. Total peace and quiet as I sit out in the night all alone with my thoughts. Creativity starts after supper. I was born at 1 AM – I blame it on Mom. .
From my early teens until I retired I was always at work early. I spent my entire career getting to my desk by 6:30 am. I never liked getting up that early.
Now that I am retired I get up whenever I feel like it which is usually 9-10 (sometimes later).
We’re retired so unless we have an early appointment our day usually doesn’t start before 9:30am.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Typically our alarm is set for 8:30 AM, regardless of when I managed to go to bed the night before (or earlier the same morning). When necessary, I will go to bed early in order to be somewhere about the time I normally rise, if not earlier. Have a great day and safe travels!
I have to be up at 4AM for work five days a week. I don’t like it, and when I don’t have to get up for work, I sleep until my body says it’s gotten enough sleep – generally 8-9 hours. If I don’t have to be up early, I generally go to bed later, so “up for the day” on non workdays generally means some time midmorning. As far as I’m concerned, any time before full sunrise is too early!