What are circadian phase preferences?

Circadian phase preferences are like your body’s favorite time to be active or sleepy, some people are night owls, others are early birds.

Imagine you have a robot friend who helps you with tasks during the day. Some robots start working right when the sun comes up, while others wait until it's almost dark outside. Your body is like one of these robots, it has its own favorite time to be awake and ready for action.

If you're an early bird, your body likes to wake up when the sun rises. You feel refreshed in the morning and might get tired around bedtime.

If you're a night owl, your body prefers to stay up late and sleep in, you’re like a robot that starts working when it’s dark outside!

These preferences are part of your internal clock, it's like a tiny timer inside you that helps decide when you should be active or resting. Some people’s clocks run faster, making them early birds; others’ clocks run slower, making them night owls.

Just like some kids love playing outside and others prefer reading in bed, your body has its own way of telling time!