Here's What Your Sleep Cycle Says About You: What is a chronotype?

If you&made your way here, chances are you&looking for remedies to sleep better. You&tried melatonin, spicing up your nighttime routine and even waking up early in hopes of getting rid of your insomnia. But what if your body naturally prefers a different daily schedule? This happens because everyone is programmed to function better during different peak hours. People fall into different groups, known as chronotypes, based on their body&natural preference for the morning or evening. Chronotypes are categorized into four groups: bear, dolphin, lion and wolf. The names of these groups are all related to the animal&natural sleep-wake cycle. Knowing your chronotype could lead to better sleep. Here&what we know. Your chronotype dictates when your body naturally feels like falling asleep and waking up during the day. This may sound familiar, and some may even refer to this as circadian rhythm -- a term for the body&internal clock. So you might be wondering, are they the same? Simply put, not quite. Think of your circadian rhythm as your physiological 24-hour cycle, while your chronotype is your natural, or preferred, biological behavior during those 24 hours -- like sleeping, eating and productivity levels at certain times of the day. Research shows that your chronotype determines your peak cognitive and physical performance during the day. Understanding your internal clock can help you optimize your daily schedule and activities to use your time more efficiently and even...