Do you jump up at the crack of dawn to seize the day, or do you find yourself with a bundle of energy long into the evening hours? Many of us are self-proclaimed morning birds, night owls, or rest somewhere in the middle based on our personal preferences, energy levels, genetics, and even work schedules.
A recent study, published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests early birds may not only catch the worm but have healthier lifestyle habits and a lower risk for diabetes.
“Our findings underline the distinct health risks that night owls face, particularly concerning diabetes, and why lifestyle habits play a significant role,” Sina Kianersi, Ph.D., lead author on the study and research fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, tells Fortune.
Night owls—referred to in the study as those with a “definite evening chronotype,” who feel more energetic at night and tend to go to bed later—were 54% more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle habits measured by diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, and sleep habits.
“Night owls were consistently found to have patterns of smoking, excessive drinking, not getting enough sleep or exercise…and a poor diet