Why being a night owl could be a sign of intelligence

January 26, 2017

Researchers found a link between ‘nocturnal’ sleeping habits and intelligence
It shows you have been able to adapt to a modern lifestyle and sleep patterns
By comparison, our ancestors were more likely to go to bed and wake up early

Lauren Grounsell For Mailonline

Published:
20:11 EST, 25 January 2017

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Updated:
20:18 EST, 25 January 2017

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If you find yourself awake until all hours of the morning, don’t fret.

It could be a sign of intelligence.

British researchers have found a link between people who enjoy a ‘nocturnal’ lifestyle and how smart they are.

And it all goes back to evolution.

A study has found night owls are likely to be more intelligent than those who got to bed early

The study, titled Why Night Owls Are More Intelligent, found that those who stayed up later were more likely to be smarter than those who enjoyed an early night.

It also found children who stay up later are more likely to grow into intelligent adults.

The results were based on the concept that people who are intelligent are more likely to adopt evolutionary values, such as staying up late.

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A ‘nocturnal’ sleeping pattern shows you have been able to adopt a modern lifestyle

As our ancestors traditionally went to bed and woke up early, changing your sleeping pattern shows you are able to adapt to modern life.

But that’s not the only perk of staying up late.

Another study showed as well as having increased intelligence, night owls were more likely to be wealthier.

By comparison, our ancestors were more likely to go to bed and wake up early

Experts from the University of Madrid carried out tests on about 1,000 teenagers and found that those who preferred to stay up late demonstrated the kind of intelligence associated with prestigious jobs and higher incomes.

Larks or ‘morning people’, however, often secured better exam results, possibly because lessons are held at the wrong time of day for night owls.

Maybe reaching for the snooze button isn’t so bad after all.