REMEMBER when we were kids how our bedtime didn’t go past 8 in the evening? I’m certain most of the Gen Zs today have already grown past that sleeping habit.
We didn’t know what the night awaited us back then. The opportunity for peaceful sleep has now been traded for comfortable working hours, and Gen Zs are among those who embraced this routine.
A study from Adobe, as cited by HR Morning, showed that around 26 percent of Gen Z workers’ productive hours fall between 6 PM and 3 AM. It is also the same thing for college students whom republicasia exclusively interviewed.
Annica Santos, a 22-year-old Communication student, tends to sleep later on weekdays when she has classes, than on weekends.
“Ang weird ng body clock ko kapag may class, I usually sleep around 2 to 3 AM, than earlier time during weekdays. I don’t why pero mas gumagana ‘yung utak ko sa gabi kapag gagawa ng school works,” she said.
Santos also acknowledges the distractions she encounters during the day, which is why a quiet atmosphere is what she seeks when working on her school requirements.
“I prefer to do things late at night siguro kasi tahimik, tulog lahat, wala masyadong disturbance. Mabilis din kasi ako madistract and ayoko ng may kasama gumawa ng school work kasi, for sure, magdadaldalan lang kami,” she added.
Plotting her daytime for social activities, Kryska Pagtakhan, also a Communication student, makes sure not to miss out on her responsibilities and personal leisure by maximizing the night until 1 AM.
“Madalas nag-a-academics or orgs [works], also nag wa-watch ng TikTok or series, or I do my makeup,” Pagtakhan shared.
She added, “More likely is dahil sa availability and mas comfy ako to work sa night kasi malamig and quiet, and kasi I spend my daytime to socialize.”
On the other hand, Aaron Sabile, a 21-year-old Communication student, finds sleeping around 2 to 3 AM an aid to his learning capabilities.
“Staying awake at night allows my brain to function and well and be productive,” he said.
Ironically, he also uses this time to doze off as watching videos on YouTube makes him sleepy.
The debt of late-night productivity
Amid productivity claims of the night owl Gen Zs, sleepless nights pose risks to health in the short and long term.
“[I’m] waking up late, not having proper breakfast, and missing out on morning news,” Sabile said.
As most work starts in the morning, staying up late at night is not encouraged to people with a 9-5 schedule. Late sleep and early mornings are the worst combo as it may lead to feeling restless the entire day until finally catching up on the sleep hours debt.
Cranky mornings can also be an aftermath that can affect performance, mood, and interaction throughout the day.
The boost of dopamine at night demands its payment during the day when there is a lack of motivation to accomplish even simple tasks. Worse, even, is ending up rotting on the bed until the sun has already set.
Circadian rhythm detects when the body is out of sync with the environment and its supposed routine. A delay in the usual sleeping pattern disrupts the body’s internal clock and this makes a person susceptible to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.
According to Mayo Clinic, lack of sleep in the long run may weaken the immune system and increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Night life among Gen Zs has been romanticized despite the potential threats to mental and physical well-being. But regardless of how you spend it, whether asleep or awake, make sure every second of it counts and the rest of your lifetime is in good shape.
