Are You a Morning Lark or a Night Owl?

Are you a lark or night owl or one who adapts to each lifestyle...a hummingbird? There have been times in my life, when I've had to be that hummingbird. Early on in my child bearing years...I had to rise early. Oh, how I longed for just another hour of sleep. I was afraid to nap, when feeding my babies, for fear I'd smother them. They were up with the birds...all except one...my oldest. He was the sleepiest baby and people thought I had it made with this little one. He would sleep so late in the morning. I would have to check on him over and over, to see if he was OK. It was hard getting him off to school in later years. His baby brother, would go into his room and put a cold pickle jar on his back to get him up. The other two kids were larks. Up early, good moods, although they still used every excuse in the world to stay up later.Giving in to this wish made for crabby kids in the morning. When they were all grown and the last was in school, I started working from my home.That's when I took on the traits of a night owl. I would get my things done during the day and be up all hours getting orders ready for some holiday or another. I still had to get up early...so I was sleep deprived most of the time.There were times when I didn't handle it well. My holidays were a wreck, as I look back on it. I was so busy doing projects...that when the holidays came around, I really didn't enjoy them. Now, Joe and I have regular hours. In bed by 10 then up at 7.There are times, (Sat. nights for example) that he wants to stay up later.We never make it...and when we get to bed later...we are crabby the next day. (If you're reading this, Joe...yes you are too) Sometimes I'm awake far earlier than 7. I guess that I don't require as much sleep. It is a myth that you require less sleep as you age. I found this when searching around the internet for articles about sleep.I wanted to know more about the characteristics of larks, owls and the in betweens...hummingbirds. I thought it was clever: If you are right-handed, you may be able to learn to use your left hand. A Type A personality may learn to relax. An overweight person can slim down. In the same way, most larks and owls can manage most schedules as their jobs, families, or social lives demand. Some will feel more mental conflict than others when they try to follow clocks at variance with their natural tendency to choose. Extreme larks and owls report the most problems. They may find it difficult, if not impossible, to function in some situations. They are not sick. They are not lazy. They are not lacking in motivation. Happily, in our increasingly twenty-four-hour world, there are plenty of spots where most larks, owls, and hummingbirds (who adapt to each)can find a secure perch. So with the time change tonight...we set the clocks back an hour. It will be darker earlier tomorrow afternoon. With winter coming, I tend to like this change. For most people it's a time for relaxation... if we will let it be.Our outside chores are done, the doors to the world close earlier, the kids are in the house, meal time at home.. is a time for family once again, I think that bedtime is easier now. I'll use my favorite word now...it's a cozy time of year.So, if you're a lark, night owl, or the in between...a hummingbird, enjoy the extra hour. Balisha