Yökykyä

Yökykyä is a Finnish term that translates to "night owl" in English. It refers to individuals who have a natural tendency to stay awake and be most active during the late hours of the night and into the early morning. This chronobiological preference is often contrasted with "lark" behavior, where individuals are early risers and most active in the morning.

The pattern of sleep and wakefulness associated with yökykyä is considered a part of a person's chronotype. While societal schedules are often geared towards early risers, people with a strong yökykyä may find it challenging to adhere to conventional working hours or school times. This can sometimes lead to social jetlag, where their internal body clock is out of sync with external demands.

Research into chronotypes suggests that genetics play a significant role in determining whether someone is more of a night owl or an early bird. While environmental factors and lifestyle choices can influence sleep patterns, the underlying predisposition towards being a yökykyä is often deeply ingrained. Understanding one's chronotype can be helpful for optimizing personal productivity and well-being.