Night owls — people who like to stay up late and have trouble getting out of bed in the morning — are at a higher risk of dying earlier than people who have a natural preference for going to bed early and getting up at sunrise, according to a new study. The study, with nearly half a million participants, found that night owls are 10 percent more likely to die than people who get up early. In the study sample, 50,000 people were more likely to die in the 6½-year period studied. The scientists also found that night owls had higher rates of diabetes, mental disorders and neurological disorders.
Genetics and environment play roughly equal roles in whether we are a morning or a nighttime type, or somewhere in between, the authors previously reported. One way to change your behavior is to make sure you're exposed to light early in the morning but not at night, the researcher said. Try to go to bed regularly and don't go to bed later. Be prepared to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and recognize the timing of when you sleep. Do things earlier and be less of an evening person as much as you can.
