Chronotype Identity, Inspired by Hozier

Seated at a gorgeous outdoor concert venue near San Diego, I watched the moon hover with anticipation for Hozier to take the stage. Overhearing a couple laughing that they were normally in bed by that hour, we wondered when Hozier would start performing. Thinking of his song “Too Sweet,” I jokingly said that he probably just woke up.

 “You keep telling me to live right

To go to bed before the daylight

But then you wake up for the sunrise

You know you don't gotta pretend, baby, now and then…”

Are you more like Hozier’s lyrics, going to bed at 3:00 am, or the couple asleep early? The chronotypes of the early bird, a night owl, or somewhere in between, are formed through sociocultural influences, family dynamic, and habitual patterns over time. These tendencies carry a perceived association. The late-night person may be seen as easy-going and open to adventure, while the early riser may be viewed as more rigid and conforming.

A chronotype defines the timing of sleep, waking hours, and food and beverage consumption. Chronotype is linked to circadian rhythms and physiological functions in the body. Early birds may have some advantages over night owls regarding long-term health outcomes.

Important functions like insulin sensitivity, how well your body metabolizes carbohydrates, sugars, and larger meals, is typically highest in the mornings and lowest at night. Late night eaters are more prone to less favorable weight outcomes than early eaters. So, meal timing matters, just as nutrient quality and caloric value are important.

As we age, we tend to shift toward earlier hours, to balance and optimize circadian rhythms in the body. Teenagers and younger adults may like the night owl vibe, so it can be more of an identity and adrenaline-seeking dynamic.

Chronotype can be shifted, if desired. Individuals with dysregulated circadian rhythms can reset their internal body clocks through exposure to daylight and night. Camping with minimal exposure to blue light devices is an excellent way to rebalance your circadian rhythms and shift your chronotype.

It’s okay to veer from your normal pattern and learn what makes you feel most alive. Sometimes, I wish I could be more like Hozier.

“Don't you just wanna wake up, dark as a lake?

Smelling like a bonfire, lost in a haze?”

I crave campfire smells, connection with nature, and sand in my toes. Most nights, I align with an early-rising body clock. And that’s just as sexy.

References

Ekiz Erim, S., & Sert, H. (2023). The relationship between chronotype and obesity: A systematic review. Chronobiology International, 40(4), 529–541. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2023.2180385

Fishbein, A. B., Knutson, K. L., & Zee, P. C. (2021). Circadian disruption and human health. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 131(19), e148286. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI148286

Lin, Y., He, L., Cai, Y., Wang, X., Wang, S., & Li, F. (2024). The role of circadian clock in regulating cell functions: Implications for diseases. MedComm, 5(3), e504. https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.504

Montaruli, A., Castelli, L., Mulè, A., Scurati, R., Esposito, F., Galasso, L., & Roveda, E. (2021). Biological rhythm and chronotype: New perspectives in health. Biomolecules, 11(4), 487. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11040487