People who spend too much time in bed are at higher risk of mortality.
If you regularly fall asleep after midnight, it may not be just a bad habit. According to scientists from the University of Southampton, going to bed late may be associated with a higher level of intelligence.
A study involving more than 1,200 people shows that people with an IQ of over 125 are more likely to go to bed after midnight and wake up later than others. The results, published in the National Library of Medicine, reveal an interesting relationship: “night owls” not only have higher IQs, but they also often enjoy higher incomes, as well as higher life satisfaction.
Of course, scientists warn that the cause-and-effect relationship is not entirely clear. It is possible that people with higher incomes simply have more freedom to determine their own schedule, without being forced to get up early.
Despite these curious findings, experts are categorical – a nightly schedule is not necessarily healthy.
Another study, conducted by the University of Birmingham and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that falling asleep after 2 hours at night increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by about 16%.
In addition, people who spend too much time in bed (over 12 hours) are at a higher risk of mortality compared to those who sleep about 7–8 hours.
Being a “night owl” does not necessarily mean a problem – and may even be associated with certain advantages. But this is not a reason for pride, nor an excuse for an unhealthy schedule.
The most important thing remains balance – enough sleep, tailored to the needs of the body, regardless of whether you go to bed early or late.
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