Are you, by nature, a morning person or a night person?
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Poll Results
Are you, by nature, a morning person or a night person?
Morning Votes: 7
Night Votes: 15
Afternoon Person Votes: 1
It Varies Votes: 12
Other Votes: 2
Studies done years ago concluded that “night” people and “morning” people are so because of their genes. Our body temperature varies by about 1 degree throughout the day. When you temperature is higher, you are more alert and awake.
Morning people have a higher temperature in the morning and a lower one at night; night people are the reverse.
I am a night person. I take the hymn, “Morning Has Broken” literally. I also claim that “not only is it broken, but no one can fix it.” My dad, for example, worked the 3rd shift (11PM -7AM) as a printer. He loved those hours. My metabolism is set the same.
For those of us who are night people, God has provided coffee. This helps us drug ourselves into conformity with the mainstream. Not much call for 3rd shift pastors.
Usually opposites attract, so night people often marry morning people.
We have examples of Jesus getting up early in the morning to pray, and we have examples of Him praying all night (Luke 6:12). Morning-people pastors make the first a prescription rather than a description, but never seem to mention the second.
To me, part of being broad minded is to realize that not everyone works the same way as you do — and not to look with contempt on people who are different.
That’s why men’s breakfasts are more popular with one group but not another. This also has bearing on church service times. We have two services with Sunday School in between — a briefer 8:30 service — enjoyed by early risers — and then a 10:30 service. Some churches have a Saturday night service (which really accommodates the late crowd).
Just as morning people resent activities that go into the late evening, so night people are uncomfortable with early morning stuff.
It’ll be interesting to see how we fare on this site, especially since fundamentalism (and Christian devotionalism) have a fetish for the morning.
We are people of the day, not matter what time we are up!
Also worth noting: as we age — particularly in our 50’s and 60’s — many folks start rising earlier. This is why early morning activities are particularly popular with the older set. It is also why a church wanting to serve all generations needs input from the younger bunch. We forget.
Morning people have a higher temperature in the morning and a lower one at night; night people are the reverse.
I am a night person. I take the hymn, “Morning Has Broken” literally. I also claim that “not only is it broken, but no one can fix it.” My dad, for example, worked the 3rd shift (11PM -7AM) as a printer. He loved those hours. My metabolism is set the same.
For those of us who are night people, God has provided coffee. This helps us drug ourselves into conformity with the mainstream. Not much call for 3rd shift pastors.
Usually opposites attract, so night people often marry morning people.
We have examples of Jesus getting up early in the morning to pray, and we have examples of Him praying all night (Luke 6:12). Morning-people pastors make the first a prescription rather than a description, but never seem to mention the second.
To me, part of being broad minded is to realize that not everyone works the same way as you do — and not to look with contempt on people who are different.
That’s why men’s breakfasts are more popular with one group but not another. This also has bearing on church service times. We have two services with Sunday School in between — a briefer 8:30 service — enjoyed by early risers — and then a 10:30 service. Some churches have a Saturday night service (which really accommodates the late crowd).
Just as morning people resent activities that go into the late evening, so night people are uncomfortable with early morning stuff.
It’ll be interesting to see how we fare on this site, especially since fundamentalism (and Christian devotionalism) have a fetish for the morning.
We are people of the day, not matter what time we are up!
Also worth noting: as we age — particularly in our 50’s and 60’s — many folks start rising earlier. This is why early morning activities are particularly popular with the older set. It is also why a church wanting to serve all generations needs input from the younger bunch. We forget.
"The Midrash Detective"
By nature I am a night person. During the summers when we don’t have as many time-sensitive claims on our schedule, I tend to be up til midnight or 1 pr 2 and sleep til 7 or 8.I’ve always gravitated toward being up late.
During the school year I can get up at 5 and go to bed earlier, though, because I have to.
During the school year I can get up at 5 and go to bed earlier, though, because I have to.
I used to be a night person, but I’ve morphed into a morning person. It’s not by choice, but more if I want to have any time with my husband (a DEFINITE morning person) then I have to get up when or close to when he does. He’s usually in bed between 8 and 8:30 up and moving by 5:30. I sleep in until 6. I feel lazy and like I’ve squandered away the morning if I let myself sleep until 7. Sunday nights are hard on us, because our small group doesn’t usually end until 8:30, and he likes to (and needs to) socialize afterwards, so we often don’t get home until close to 10. He suffers the next morning. (Of course, having a dog who wakes up with the sun doesn’t help!)
One problem is we have teens. I don’t know a teen who is a morning person! My kids would rather sleep until 11 or 12, and stay up until 2 or 3, and they often do. My daughter is involved in theater, and their performances often aren’t over until 10, and then it takes her some time to wind down enough to sleep. And since she doesn’t yet drive, guess who gets to go get her? So I walk around sleep-deprived during that season. I can and do snag a nap if possible, but Tom can’t. Oh well.
One problem is we have teens. I don’t know a teen who is a morning person! My kids would rather sleep until 11 or 12, and stay up until 2 or 3, and they often do. My daughter is involved in theater, and their performances often aren’t over until 10, and then it takes her some time to wind down enough to sleep. And since she doesn’t yet drive, guess who gets to go get her? So I walk around sleep-deprived during that season. I can and do snag a nap if possible, but Tom can’t. Oh well.
I am both. I prefer being up late and I don’t mind getting up early. I am one of those who does not require a lot of sleep. During the school year, I work the before school care at my kids school. So we are up between 5:30 and 6. I could never dream going to be before 11, but usually closer to midnight. I work one midnight a week at a hotel, usually get some sermon prep done while there. On those days I usually sleep 3-4 hours (3.5 today) and then sleep 7-8 the following night. I am also a firefighter and chaplain of the dept. So there are times i get called out at all hours. Sooo I don’t know how to vote on the poll…
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
I too also burn the wick at both ends. Which is funny cuz my wife is neither morning nor night.
I’ve always been both- staying up late reading, getting up early because I didn’t need more than 4-6 hours of sleep- but hitting 40 changed all that. Although I don’t know if it was because of age or some of the trauma and drama our family has experienced these last 3 years that has worn me out physically and mentally. In any case, I still prefer to get up early, so I go to bed around 9 or 10 now. That way I can still get some reading in and get up around 4:30-5 without a headache. It’s my way of having some alone time- curling up with a cup of coffee and my Bible, eating a hot breakfast sitting down, taking a long hot shower and getting dressed before anyone else gets up… it is a very nice way to start the day. :D So I voted that I’m a morning person.
Teens often do this.
Usually they say the average person needs 8 hours of sleep, but 7-9 hours includes most people. The younger you are, the more sleep you need. But during the teen years, that changes (you lose ground) and your metabolism is set to stay up to at least 11PM (but often later) and to sleep in till 11 or 12. As you get older, you need less sleep. Lots of older people get up earlier than they ever had, but they tend to fall asleep watching the news, taking a nap, etc..
There is a big difference between GETTING a certain amount of sleep and NEEDING a certain amount to feel good and alert. Those are two different issues. Lots of people do not value sleep enough, so they deprive themselves. As a result, we not only have more grouches in this world, but they make mistakes, get in traffic accidents, and (these are my opinions) they are less relaxed relationally.
People who have physical jobs that do not involve a lot of mental stress need less sleep (I think an average of 6) than those whose jobs (or lives) involve a lot of stress and concentration (8 or 9). I’ve also read that stress wears on you twice as much if you are not getting adequate sleep.
One problem is we have teens. I don’t know a teen who is a morning person! My kids would rather sleep until 11 or 12, and stay up until 2 or 3, and they often do.In a publication I used to receive from Harvard, they claimed that most teens’ metabolisms are set to stay up late and get up late. That’s why early-starting high schools are really hurting their potential academic achievements.
I am both. I prefer being up late and I don’t mind getting up early. I am one of those who does not require a lot of sleep.If you could bottle that and sell it, I’d buy it!
Usually they say the average person needs 8 hours of sleep, but 7-9 hours includes most people. The younger you are, the more sleep you need. But during the teen years, that changes (you lose ground) and your metabolism is set to stay up to at least 11PM (but often later) and to sleep in till 11 or 12. As you get older, you need less sleep. Lots of older people get up earlier than they ever had, but they tend to fall asleep watching the news, taking a nap, etc..
There is a big difference between GETTING a certain amount of sleep and NEEDING a certain amount to feel good and alert. Those are two different issues. Lots of people do not value sleep enough, so they deprive themselves. As a result, we not only have more grouches in this world, but they make mistakes, get in traffic accidents, and (these are my opinions) they are less relaxed relationally.
People who have physical jobs that do not involve a lot of mental stress need less sleep (I think an average of 6) than those whose jobs (or lives) involve a lot of stress and concentration (8 or 9). I’ve also read that stress wears on you twice as much if you are not getting adequate sleep.
"The Midrash Detective"
… what was the question?
Dennis The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. ~ Proverbs 18:17
Roger and I must be cut from the same cloth (or maybe we are twins separated at birth…brother???)
I also require little sleep…5 hours and I’m ready to go in the morning! In fact, I really enjoy the early morning hours. I tend to be up late…midnight or later…and up early….5:30 normally. It means I can pull late nighters and still be able to function the next day. I have to say, however, I’m at my best with at least 6 hours.
I also require little sleep…5 hours and I’m ready to go in the morning! In fact, I really enjoy the early morning hours. I tend to be up late…midnight or later…and up early….5:30 normally. It means I can pull late nighters and still be able to function the next day. I have to say, however, I’m at my best with at least 6 hours.
Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Fort Wayne, IN
I’m very much NOT a morning person. I am blessed to have a job that allows me some flexibility with my hours, which means I don’t arrive in the morning groggy and disfunctional. I have tried multiple times over the years to convert to being a morning person, but I have never been able to maintain it. No matter how early I get to bed, morning is still baaaaaaad. I honestly look forward to reaching the age when I can no longer sleep in. Mornings are lovely if your body lets you enjoy them. Mine doesn’t.
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