The best parts of being a night owl (and how to take advantage of them)

The benefits of staying up late

Creative problem solving

There’s something to be said about the mood of a late night when you allow your brain to wander and experiment, especially when freed from the routine chores of the day. Night owls demonstrate exemplary reasoning skills, form accurate conclusions based on facts, and tap into non-conventional solutions to problems.

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Getting more things done

When the day ends for most people, night owls enjoy a unique solitude. You’ll enjoy fewer notifications, meetings, and emails to respond to, allowing you more time to get work done. You might find that your peak productivity hours happen after the 9-to-5. If you have coworkers on the West Coast, for example, the extra hours you put in at completing tasks may sync up with their time zones.

If you’re a parent, you’ll be more prepared to take care of nighttime situations with your children, such as illness or restlessness, which can seem more fraught in the evening. If one parent is a night owl and another an early bird, then the parenting roles will complement each other perfect.

You might just be smarter

With studies indicating high reasoning skills and mental alertness, it shouldn’t be surprising that night owls have high IQs, too. Studies across both middle and high school students, as well as among Air Force recruits, show that a combination of inquisitive thinking and inductive reasoning leads to greater intelligence in general.

You never know what might happen

Being a night owl means you have flexible time built into your day for anything that can happen. Coworkers going out for happy hour? Wooing someone for dinner or drinks? The ability to socialize and network, no matter how spontaneously, is a distinct advantage with night owls who are fundamentally more open to new experiences—and this can be an indicator of success.

How to get the most out of your late night

If you’re an early bird looking to squeeze a couple more hours out of your day, resetting your circadian rhythm is much easier and healthier than you might believe.

• Practice staying up: Try to stay up one hour later than you’re used to, every day, for a few weeks. This will take time!
• Consume natural caffeinators: Coffee and tea are much gentler and more natural for you than energy drinks. But don’t drink too much. More than four cups of coffee can lead to symptoms like anxiety and shakiness that make it harder for you to concentrate.
• Take naps during the day: Get the same amount of rest you’re used to by taking a nap for 15-20 minutes, usually during the afternoons.
• Exercise in any form: While overexercising can push your body to stay up too late, gentle aerobic exercise for 30 minutes per time can keep you energized. Go for long walks for 10 minutes at a time, even if it’s around your home.
• Use devices and lights: Blue light lamps can enhance the mood, while using a device can stimulate your brain into staying awake.
• Keep the temperature down: Our bodies respond more alertly to crisp, cooler temperatures, so turn up the air conditioning.

By embracing the benefits of being a night owl, you’ll unlock productivity and be prepared for anything. Check out some personal and family organization tips to learn how to plan ahead through your family calendar, delegate tasks, or prepare for college.