For some people, a 9-to-5 schedule feels exhausting, while working from evening until the early hours feels surprisingly natural. They may become more alert as the sun goes down, concentrate better when the workplace is quieter and find early mornings unusually difficult. Psychology and sleep science suggest that this preference may have less to do with being “lazy” or simply enjoying late nights and more to do with chronotype, the individual's natural tendency toward particular sleep and wake times. Research into circadian rhythms, personality and social jetlag suggests that people who prefer night shifts may function better when their work schedule is closer to their biological timing.
