Sleep Animal Chronotypes: Which One Are You?

Have you ever wondered if the key to unlocking your maximum productivity and creativity lies in something as simple as understanding your unique chronotype and optimising your sleep habits?

At TEMPUR®, we delve into the fascinating world of chronotypes and how they can help you better understand your behaviours and moods, allowing you to select the optimal times to tackle certain tasks or activities.

Given that our sleeping patterns and characteristics can vary widely based on factors such as age, activity level, and sleeping conditions, it's no wonder that distinct chronotypes have emerged. Recent research suggests that different chronotypes can provide a range of physiological and psychological benefits. Read on to discover more about chronotypes.

What are chronotypes?

According to the Sleep Foundation, chronotype is the natural inclination of your body to sleep at a certain time, or what most people understand as being an early bird versus a night owl. It is the natural rhythm of our bodies that influences how we sleep, wake up, eat, and function. It is determined by a variety of factors, including:

• Genetics
• Lifestyle
• Environment
• Biological cues

Chronotypes can range from early risers to night owls, and they affect everything from sleep to metabolism. Research shows that people who understand their chronotype can make lifestyle changes that can improve their health and productivity. For example, an early riser with a “Bear” chronotype might benefit from going to sleep earlier and waking up earlier than an individual with a “Lion” chronotype.

What is your sleep animal?

There are four types of chronotypes:

• The Bear
• The Wolf
• The Lion
• The Dolphin

The Bear is typically an early riser, who wakes up and goes to bed earlier than average and tends to sleep for 8-9 hours a night. The Wolf is a night owl who prefers staying up late and sleeping past noon, if not later. The Lion prefers to wake up early and go to bed early, usually before midnight. Finally, The Dolphin combines all three, with a preference for both waking up early and staying up late. Which are you?

Bear

• Bears have a natural sleep-wake cycle
• Bears are often most alert and productive during the late morning and early afternoon
• Bears may find themselves feeling sluggish and lethargic in the mornings and more energised in the afternoon and evenings

Wolf

• Wolves are people who have a delayed sleep-wake cycle
• They naturally stay up later and sleep-in longer than most people
• They may feel groggy in the morning and need some time to fully wake up
• Wolves are often most alert and productive in the late afternoon and evening

Lion

• Lions are people who have an advanced sleep-wake cycle
• They naturally wake up early and feel most alert and productive in the morning
• They may feel sleepy in the evening and prefer to go to bed early
• Lions are often the most productive during the morning hours

Dolphin

• Dolphins are people who have a highly irregular sleep-wake cycle
• They may struggle to maintain consistent sleep patterns
• They may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• They may feel groggy or tired during the day
• Dolphins are often the least productive of the four chronotypes
• They may struggle to maintain a consistent schedule.

In conclusion, discovering your chronotype and cultivating healthy sleep habits can lead to a better understanding of your moods and behaviours, as well as increased productivity and creativity.

Which sleep animal chronotype are you?