Hard-wired to Perform Better at Night!

Wikipedia

The comments below are from an article in the July 25th New York Times, “Fraternity of the Wired Works in the Wee Hours.”

But preferring to work at night might go beyond a need to escape distractions. Some people are hard-wired to perform better as it gets later, said Michael Thorpy, director of the Sleep-Wake Disorder Center at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

“Our circadian timing of sleep is affected by genetics, and people all differ,” he said.

Mr. Thorpy said many people experience surges of alertness two to three hours before they fall asleep — ideal for powering through some unfinished business.

“If it fits in with their lifestyle, it can work very well,” he said. “A large part of their waking day is when things are quieting down.”

Yes, that’s right, a surge of alertness hours before you fall asleep!  It’s true, even if you haven’t experienced it.  Late night folks are not inherently lazy or bizarre.  They are different.  They will lead more successful, productive, and happier lives if society would only recognize this difference instead of assuming that everyone functions best when they rise early.

Night Owls unite.  You have nothing to lose but your fatigue.