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How To Design Your Ideal Workday Based On Your Sleep Habits

According to sleep expert Michael Breus, you can pack the most into your working hours by knowing your sleep type.

How To Design Your Ideal Workday Based On Your Sleep Habits

[Photo: Bernhard Lang/Getty Images]

BY Rich Bellis6 minute read

Chances are you don’t start work in the morning without first having a cup (or several) of coffee.

But as board-certified sleep specialist and The Power of When author Michael Breus sees it, exactly when you should have caffeine depends on your sleep type.

When it comes to falling asleep and waking up, Breus has found there are four types of people in the world–or rather, animals: bears, lions, wolves, and dolphins. Each represents a so-called “chronotype” that describes your body’s natural sleep habits and energy patterns. Knowing not to act like a wolf when you’re really a bear, says Breus, can help you have less painful wake-ups, fewer after-lunch slumps, and more productive workdays overall.

Using Your Sleep Patterns To Redesign Your Workday

Breus believes that your chronotype can offer a roadmap for taking advantage of your body’s natural energy flows. Here’s what an ideal workday might look like, according to Breus, for bears, lions, wolves, and dolphins:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rich Bellis was previously the Associate Editor of Fast Company's Leadership section. More


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