The Dangers of Being a Night Owl

SAMEEKA PRABATH – Late nights are a quintessential part of many people’s college experiences. Whether it is to hang out with friends, or an all nighter to finish up an assignment, late nights have garnered a subculture of their own: night owls. Night owls find that their most productive or inspiring times are during the night. While this lifestyle may feel great, recent studies suggest that there may be unexpected costs. 

Night owls tend to have disrupted circadian rhythms, which are the changes the body regularly experiences within a day. This can lead to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. Night owls are also more likely to face depression, and be more vulnerable to alcohol and nicotine addiction. According to the European Heart Journal, the best time to fall asleep is between 10PM to 11PM. The study, conducted in the United Kingdom, followed the sleeping patterns of over 80,000 participants through wrist trackers. They found that those who fell asleep after midnight had a significantly higher risk of developing heart and circulatory disease. This may have to do with how our metabolism burns fat while we sleep.. Night owls have a harder time burning fat, which makes them more susceptible to cardiovascular and heart diseases, as well as Type II diabetes. 

It is important to note that not all night owls stay up by choice. Many jobs require their employees to work night shifts. This can cause stress and sleep deprivation. Additionally, night shift workers are more prone to Vitamin D deficiencies due to the lack of sun exposure.

There are several steps you can take to fix your sleep cycle. You can help train your body to sleep earlier at night and subsequently wake up earlier in the morning. Setting a night routine to wind down can help avoid changes that disrupt the body’s internal clock. Furthermore, taking a warm bath, meditation, or dimming the lights at night could help signal to the mind that it is time to sleep. Avoiding exercise and screens at night could help the body be less energized and increase melatonin production. Also, avoiding caffeine and alcohol can prevent disruptions in the circadian rhythm. 

While being a night owl may be fun, it is impossible to ignore the health adversities it could cause. However, by acknowledging these risks, night owls can realign their internal clocks and make way for a more balanced and healthier future. 

Copy Editor – Elizabeth Vaitl

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