So NOT into the whole ‘rise ‘n grind’ thing

Would you be a morning person if mornings started around noon? If you had a hard time waking up this morning, just like every morning, then you probably can relate to these…

You hit the snooze button way too many times. You set several alarms but still end up late for work…

Your pet peeve is your pet waking you up. Five more minutes please!

Morning people are the worst. Why are you this cheery in the morning?

Coffee first! Needing copious amounts of coffee before people can talk to you…

Complaining ’til noon. I’m going to be grumpy… just deal with it.

Wanting to go back to bed. Can I go back to bed already?

READ MORE: 7 Things Girls Who Work Out In The Morning Do
Sound like you? We’ll here’s what’s really going on:

Can science fix you?

Maybe not, but it can explain why you’re such a sleepyhead (which may or may not be of interest to your boss). “There are morning people and evening people,” says Sonia Ancoli-Israel, education director at UC-San Diego’s Sleep Medicine Center. “We call them larks and owls.” Which one you are, has to do with your circadian system.

How Does My Circadian System Work?

A region of 20 000 nerve cells in your brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus keeps your body on schedule throughout the day, regulating everything from hormone levels to when you digest food. And, of course, when you feel sleepy.

How Does That Explain Me

Larks are “phase advanced,” meaning they feel tired early in the evening. Owls are “phase delayed” – a pattern most common in teens and young adults – and don’t feel tired until late at night.

Should I Be Concerned?

Larks do have a mental edge. In 2013, a study found that early and late risers have structurally different brains. Larks have more quality white matter, which helps nerve cells communicate.

Can I Change That?

A little bit. Your circadian rhythm changes over your lifetime. Babies wake at dawn, while teenagers can’t get out of bed before noon. As adults age, mornings typically get easier. You can also hack your clock by sticking to a regimented sleep schedule and avoiding light before bed. Light receptors in the eye tell your brain when to call it a night.

Can I Blame This On Genetics?

You bet! In 2012, scientists discovered a single nucleotide near a gene called “Period 1” that determines whether you’re an owl, a lark or in between.

Looking for more? here’s how you can actually train yourself to become a legit ‘morning person‘.