What is the chronotype that you have?

Are you one of those who likes to get up early? Or are you perhaps a total night owl who prefers to work at night? There are four types of chronotypes and we all fit into a typology, that is, in that particular way of using our energy, of regulating our circadian rhythms. Knowing it would allow us, for example, to understand why we feel more tired at certain times of the day.

This topic always arouses high interest. It does so because it allows us to understand why there are people who find it so difficult to get up early. Also, why there are those who suffer from chronic insomnia or the origin of that drop in spirits and motivation when midday arrives. The schedules that govern our lives do not always adapt to our needsa fact that chronobiology has been studying for decades.

Studies on this area of ​​science say that a good part of the population responds to the “bear” typology.. That is, we feel more active in the middle of the day and we are always sleep deprived. However, not everyone matches that pattern. Let’s delve a little deeper into this topic.

The four types of chronotypes: lions, owls, dolphins and bears

Before detailing the four types of chronotypes, let’s first stop at defining and understanding what a chronotype is. This concept defines our body’s natural inclination to sleep during the day or at night. Now, there are more associated aspects. Chronotypes, in addition to regulating sleep and wake time, condition our appetite, energy or even our body temperature.

None of these processes or tendencies are mere whim or will. Studies, such as those carried out at the University of Michigan, for example, They remind us that chronotypes have a genetic basis. That is to say, when we come into the world our tendency is already inscribed in us, for example, to be a lion morning (early chronotype).

To elucidate what typology defines each of us, questionnaires such as The Morning-Eveningness Questionaire (MEQ) are usually used. However, sleep hygiene experts indicate that resources like this do not adequately describe the variability in our rest needs. Our sleep problems are mediated not only by our lifestyle habits, but there are also genetic factors..

For this reason, for years people have begun to talk about the four types of chronotypes, using different animal figures as metaphors. Different styles of rest or energy levels are associated with these similes. We analyze it below.

León: the evening chronotype

About 20% of the population fits into this Lion chronotype which, in a way, fits the way our society is organized:

They are people who feel more activated during the first hours of the day. It is not too difficult for them to have to get up early. They usually get up at 8 and go to bed around midnight. They sleep well, on average, they can rest eight hours in a row, achieving a deep and restorative rest. The León chronotype usually maintains fixed schedules and they feel good when following them: they get up at the same time. time, they eat at the same times…These lifestyle habits also have a positive effect on their health, they have fewer cardiovascular problems.

The wolf: nocturnal chronotypes

In our world there are many night owls, that is, people who fit the chronotype of the wolf, a profile that, far from seeming romantic or evocative, presents some particularity that will be very well known to us:

The wolf’s chronotype has twilight habits: they are very productive and creative at night. However, their main peculiarity is having serious problems getting up early. Their energy peak has two key moments: at noon and at midnight. It is difficult for them to adapt to daytime hours, hence they prefer to study in the afternoon and have night jobs.The main problem with the wolf’s chronotype is that by not being able to adjust to the normative schedules of our society, they tend to suffer from lack of sleep.. This translates into long-term health problems and dietary changes.

The four types of chronotypes: the bear, the most common

Most of us are bears. Strong and productive giants, but often tired because we don’t get enough sleep. So, Among the four types of chronotypes, many of us will feel identified with this one for the following reasons:

Our energy peak is mid-morning. It is difficult for us to get up early and our energy does not reach us until 11 or 12. These are people who do not always follow the same schedules, that isthey do not always go to bed or have dinner at the same time and on weekends they get up late. This differentiates them from the first chronotype – the lion – more accustomed to following fixed schedules.The main problem of the bear chronotype is lack of sleep. This is because they often go to bed late. Also because their sleep is not sustained, they suffer frequent awakenings and usually wake up tired.

You define them, the overexcited chronotype

The last of the four types of chronotypes is, without a doubt, the most problematic. It is common that People with insomnia, persistent fatigue and fluctuating energy identify with the dolphin typology.:

The metaphor of the dolphin is used due to the unique nature of this animal: they are mammals with uni-hemispheric rest. That is, while one half of your brain rests, the other remains awake and active. This analogy describes the men and women with a light and unsatisfactory night’s rest.

Likewise, in this chronotype It is common for people to have very marked peaks of energy, very short moments in which they feel active and very creative.. However, after a few hours this hyperactivity declines to give way to deep fatigue.

It is estimated that 10% of the population can identify with this energy pattern. To conclude, only one interesting aspect should be noted. Average, Those people with a diurnal chronotype, that is, those whose energy is focused on the morning hours and who manage to rest at night, have better physical and psychological health.

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