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Are you at your best in the morning or at night?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
If you assume that biological and environmental factors influence the timing of your circadian rhythm, you are correct. However, research has discovered that genes also play a big role in determining whether you are a morning or night person.
I am a night owl. Nighttime has often been symptomatically harder on my son Cullen, throughout his PH battles and during transplant recovery. Feeling my best in the evening helped me care for him when he had trouble sleeping. But morning comes fast and getting our day started would often be harder for me as a caregiver.
If you are a morning person or a night owl, how does it affect you as a patient or a caregiver? What are the pros and cons? Please let me know if I may quote you in a column regarding this topic.
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14 Replies
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Hi @Colleen , I love this question for discussion. For me, it depends on the day. Strangely, I was always an early bird until the last several years. Nowadays, I find I am fighting my circadian rhythm, and it probably stays confused.
This week, I have been up until at least 11 p.m. and awake around 7 a.m. three nights. But one night, I couldn’t sleep, so I was awake on the couch, writing and mostly doing a “brain dump” because I was in more pain and nothing was helping. That, and my racing mind, is always disastrous. I went to bed at about 2:30 a.m. and woke up groggy and moving slowly at 8 a.m. So, I don’t know what this makes me.
Thankfully, working from home PT and trying to keep appointments not too early but not too late, I can make it work for the most part. But how do you make it work for those who have others to care for and jobs outside the house, etc?
And as always, share anything I post here in your columns.
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@jen-cueva so would you say you were born a morning person but PH has placed you on the face between morning and evening due to the physical and emotional parts it plays?
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Hey, Colleen, you got it—perfect! You have an incredible way of deciphering my long answers. Hehe. That’s why we do so well together. I appreciate that and so much more in you, my dear friend.💜
It sounds like Cullen has had some challenges since starting college on campus life. I’m sure it must be an ongoing work in progress. But for him, I know he will flow better with his school schedule and then eventually a work schedule. I’m so excited to watch him through the different seasons of adulthood!
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Thank you @jen-cueva !
I would love to have a few more quotes from people on this topic, especially morning people. I’m curious about the ups and downs of being an early bird who has PH or is a caregiver.
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Hey members, I’m giving this more attention because I’m working on a column around this topic. My family are night owls so I have a lot to say about that, but I’m looking for at least one patient or caregiver to share what it’s like being a morning person living with or caring for PH. Does anyone have something to share that I may quote you on?
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Hi @Colleen . Hopefully, others will share if they are morning birds or night owls. You mention your family members are night owls. Are both boys night owls? That’s weird if so, I know my sisters and I are all different with things like that.
This should make for an interesting column.
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@jen-cueva me, Cullen, Aidan, and Brian…all night owls. Aidan’s internal clock has been changed to morning because of work, but on his days off, I think the night owl in him kicks in again. Cullen would still rather sleep in but gets up and to class on time every morning. At night, he likes to tackle his homework
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Hi @Colleen , LOL. I bet Cullen would love to stay in bed. Before college, I remember him staying up all night playing video games. So, I can imagine how hard he struggles waking up early, getting out of bed early, and getting to class. I know he enjoys sleeping in on the weekend and breaks.
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@carol-volckmann @Col @Terese Tuohey @Anna Jeter @Tracey
Are you morning people are night owls?
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Hi Colleen, interesting question especially as it my apply to our physical changes being diagnosed with PH and other medical issues.
I had always been an early riser growing up and into my working world. I would be in the office by 7 so I would the only one and it is so quiet. I was able to be the most productive and creative early in the day. If I had to call a meeting it would always be early in the day. Late afternoon I would use that time for catch up.
I still like to call myself a morning person but … I am no longer. I know it must have to do with my illness but I think age must be a player as well. That does not mean I am a night owl as I am not. By 3-4 in the afternoon I am done in.
I now try and schedule any doctors appointments mid day – kinda a small window! 🙃
Thanks for an interesting take and how it effects each of us, patient and/ or caregiver. 😊❤️
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Thank you for sharing @carol-volckmann , May I quote you in my column?
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Hi @carol-volckmann , well said, and I can relate to working my schedule to “accomade” my appointments. Hopefiully you and Dick both had good reports this week.
Take care, sweet PHriend!
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You and Jen always have my permission to quote me if you feel it is appropriate.
I was going to add in my remarks … guess I am a 20 to 3pm person now!
Sending warm hugs Collen with lots of love ❤️ and admiration of all you do and mire!
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Haha, @carol-volckmann , we appreciate you and your thoughts more than you know. I know others will, too. 🤗
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