Only 15% Of People Have This Sleeping Style—Are You One Of Them?

Sleep is an integral part of our overall health, and we all have to approach it individually to ensure we're getting the most out of it.

That's where the four chronotypes come in, and in the case of the lion chronotype, we're breaking down what these people need for quality sleep, the best time for them to go to bed and wake up, and more.

The four sleep chronotypes

The four sleep chronotypes relate to how the body's biological clock, aka circadian rhythm, operates, including when we're most energized during the day—and when we're not.

The lion and bear chronotypes of the world are your classic early risers, while the wolf and dolphin chronotypes tend toward waking later in the day. And when you know which of the four you are, you can suit your schedule and lifestyle to the needs of your type and, moreover, your circadian rhythm.

Here's a quick look at the four chronotypes:

Characteristics of a lion chronotype

And lucky for these folks, Breus tells mbg, "They usually do not report sleep problems—in fact they rarely report many problems at all."

Lions tend to be leaders, or chief operating officer types, he notes, adding that they also like to make daily lists, going from step one, to two, to three, in order. "They are natural early risers, driven and focused, and highly productive in their careers," Breus explains.

Socially, however, the lion chronotype can have some difficulties. According to Breus, they tend to be "intense," and because they like to go to bed early, they're not much for the party scene. "It is very difficult for them to change their schedules successfully," he adds.

Lion chronotype ideal schedule:

Tips for thriving as a lion chronotype:

According to Breus, the question of when to work out as a lion depends on the kind of exercise you're looking to do. If you wanted to go for a run or do other cardio, for example, Breus says around 5:30 p.m. is best. If you're playing a team sport, on the other hand, aim for a window between 2 and 4 p.m.

If you're doing something more mindful, like yoga, 8 a.m. or 5 p.m. would be good times for that. And strength training, Breus says, is best for lions from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Breus recommends a high-protein breakfast first thing at 5:45 a.m. for the lion chronotype. Around 9 a.m., you'll want a light snack. Lunch between noon and one is great, and ideally, it will be something healthy and balanced (here are some ideas if you're in a rut!). And for dinner, lions will do best with a light meal between 6 and 7 p.m., with no more alcohol past 7:30.

For the lion chronotype, morning sex between 6 and 7 a.m. "seems to be best," according to Breus. Though, this also depends on what your partner's chronotype is, so here's a quick breakdown:

Optimizing sleep as a lion chronotype

The good news is, lions don't tend to have too many sleeping difficulties, according to Breus. The most important thing for them to do, he says, is to simply follow the chrono-typical sleep and wake-up times for lions: 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., respectively.

In addition to that, of course, it never hurts to lean on good sleep hygiene practices like maintaining a bedroom that's conducive to sleep (i.e., cool, dark, and quiet), getting lots of natural light during the day and keeping the lights dim into the evening, and taking a sleep supplement, like mbg's sleep support+, if you could use a little extra help falling or staying asleep.* Check out our full guide to getting high-quality sleep for more tips.

The takeaway

We know sleep is important, but we don't always understand our bodies' natural rhythms. So if you're a lion, give catering to your chronotype a try, and watch how it transforms and regulates your sleep—and energy levels.