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Early Birds Happier Than Night Owls

It's true regardless of age: study

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2012 5:10 PM CDT | Updated Jun 16, 2012 8:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – Morning people, count yourselves lucky: New research shows you're happier, and feel healthier, than your night-owl peers—not just in the morning, but in general. People tend naturally to rise earlier as they get older, which might explain why older people tend to be happier, researchers say. Their study surveyed two groups, one made up of people ages 17 to 38 and another whose members were 59 to 79, LiveScience reports.

Researchers found that most become morning people by age 60; by that time, just 7% of people are still night owls. In contrast, only 7% of young adults are early birds. Overall, older folks reported being happier, a scientist says, and "'morningness' was associated with greater happiness emotions in both age groups." It's unclear why, but it may have to do with the fact that our "social clock"—typical work hours, for instance—is structured in a way that favors morning people. Still, hope isn't lost for night owls who want to make the switch: Click through for tips on becoming a morning person.

Morning people tend to be happier overall, a study finds.
Morning people tend to be happier overall, a study finds.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
nick
Jun 16, 2012 11:32 AM CDT
What next, which hand do you wipe with? : -)
chillette
Jun 16, 2012 10:03 AM CDT
I love the quiet of the night. Even as a kid my siblings said I was part vampire. When everyone was asleep I liked to just sit at my window at night. The peace and calm of the night is soothing.I also wake up every morning at 6 AM with or without an alarm clock and no matter what time I go to sleep. It's because the early morning hours are also peaceful It's the middle of the day that gets on my nerves. People, traffic, noise,..........
Zegan
Jun 12, 2012 8:34 PM CDT
Well then, my 17month old is the happiest person on Earth as she threw her Twingle Frog(it shine stars on the wall and sings/white noise) at my skull this morning at 4am to let me know she was up.
 

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