The Chronotype Checklist
The Chronotype Checklist
Answer the questions to find out whether you're a morning person or a night owl
Answer the questions to find out whether you're a morning person or a night owl
Do you eat breakfast within an hour of waking up?
Do you get insomnia?
Would you wake up before 9am without an alarm?
Would you describe yourself as sociable?
Do you feel refreshed when you wake up most days?
Do you have a tendency to be selfish?
If you didn't have to wake up at a certain time the next day, would you stay up past midnight?
Scored 4 or more? You're a lark
Scored 4 or more? You're a lark
You’re naturally up at the crack of dawn and raring to go, which means that the nine-to-five world of work is geared in your favour. Studies suggest that morning types are more agreeable and conscientious than night owls, and better at self-control. But the early bird doesn’t always catch the worm.
“As larks go through a normal day, they get tired more easily,” explains Simon. And although you can’t always be tucked up by 10pm every night, you still wake up super-early, which is where your sleep debt and risk of social jet lag creeps in.
Scored 3 or less? You're an owl
Scored 3 or less? You're an owl
You’re at your best late at night, but getting going in the mornings is a real struggle. Owls tend to be better at socialising, are more extrovert and often have higher IQs. But they are also more likely to suffer from insomnia.
Plus, German researchers have found that being an owl may be linked to depression. And owls can be more selfish and narcissistic – a study has shown this might be an evolutionary hangover, as people with these traits are more likely to scheme and cheat, which is best done under the cover of darkness.? “They also build up the worst social jet lag, unless they have a job that starts later,” says Simon.