Circadian Rhythms

Night Owls

“I'm a night owl.” Alanna Ubach

“I'm a night owl.” Joni Mitchell

“I've always been a night owl.” Blake Lively

“I'm a bit of a night owl...” Christina Aguilera

“I'm an early morning owl.” Patrick Wilson

Thank God! There is at least one other “early morning owl!” Did you know that if you get up just before daylight, you will be treated to an owl chorus? They seem to call reveille to the troops just before sunrise. “Fall in boys! Time to head for the hills!” There is something quite exciting to me about hearing owls call to one another. Because they are creatures of the night, and hold such a dark-wisdom place in the human psyche, people either love or hate them. The very fact that they are nocturnal makes them suspect. Nighttime, under the moon's influence, is when things happen that go unseen, things done in the shadows; things that would never be allowed in the light of day.

Here's the deal, though; by all standards, and much research, “night owls,” people whose usual bed time is around mid-night, later on weekends, are more intelligent and creative. The influence of the moon draws one into a more contemplative and imaginative state of mind. Night owls use the time to...well, day-dream, so to speak. They are more innovative and visionary. Perhaps that is because there are fewer distractions during the hours of darkness.

I'm never going to be a “night owl” unless getting up in the middle of the night counts. I have to say, however, these still-dark, early morning hours are productive for me, too. By the time the sun is up, my mind is moving into the requirements of the day—what needs to be accomplished, what has to be done and when. It's a different set of brain patterns—moving from the right side of the cerebral hemisphere over to the left, and becoming more linear and verbal, and less visual and imaginative.

What about you? Are you a “night owl?” I feel for those who's natural circadian rhythm is to be most awake, alert and productive during the wee hours. That makes it difficult to function in our eight-to-five system, a remnant of the industrial age. Take heart, though; you are the brightest and the best! Someday the world will adapt to you simply because you will use your creativity and genius to recreate it.

                                                        In the Spirit,

                                                             Jane