All articles tagged with #chronotypes
A new study identifies five sleep subtypes (two early birds and three night owls) linked to distinct health and lifestyle patterns across UK Biobank adults and US teens, ranging from fewer health problems to depression, smoking, and higher cardiovascular risk, suggesting sleep timing profiling could inform personalized schedules and mental-health support.
Experts suggest several strategies to improve waking up in the morning, including maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, getting enough sleep to naturally wake up before an alarm, and going to bed in alignment with one's chronotype (genetic sleep-wake preference). Exposure to morning light and avoiding light at night can help regulate circadian rhythms, while quitting the snooze button and opting for a gentler wake-up can reduce sleep inertia. Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially close to bedtime, can also enhance sleep quality. If persistent tiredness occurs despite adequate sleep, consulting a sleep specialist to rule out sleep disorders is recommended.
Oura Ring, a sleep tracker, is introducing a new feature that assigns users a chronotype based on body temperature, sleep-wake times, and physical activity over a three-month period. The feature tells users whether their body prefers mornings or evenings and how strong that affinity is, without the use of cute animals. The app also includes a body clock feature that tells users how well their sleeping habits align with an "optimal" sleep schedule. Oura is also adding support for people with irregular sleeping schedules and a new Sleep Regularity metric. These features will be available for both the Gen 2 and Gen 3 versions of the Oura Ring, but the body clock and chronotype feature will require an active subscription.