Unlike animals, human beings always look for ways to define ourselves. We like to use all kinds of personality tests to feel anchored to the human community, and thus identify with other people who have our traits.
Without a doubt, this is a form of belonging that does not exist in the animal kingdom. There, everything is determined by more essential and primal issues. That is why, sometimes, there is no better reference to measure traits of our personality and factors that dominate us than animals. Because instincts and genes determine us more than we believe, just like them.
The chronotype test, created by sleep specialist Michael Breus, is based on animal behavior because in animals the functioning of the circadian rhythm, also known as the “biological clock,” is clearer. It is a natural mechanism for regulating daytime and evening activity that we also have, but which is constantly altered by our lifestyle. In fact, our irregular activities are also altering the cycle of some animals.
But the animal kingdom remains, even so, a much more fertile ground for studying the biological clock and understanding the implications of different chronotypes in life. And it does not matter how much contemporary dynamics modify circadian rhythms: the truth is that our performance is still determined by the “genetic agenda” of each chronotype.
So take a look at this chronotype test, find out which animal you identify with and modify your habits, if necessary. Because respecting the day and evening cycles is a way to perform better and maintain good health in a resilient way; But to do this, we must start by knowing what our chronotype is.
What is your animal chronotype?
Dolphin
Dolphins are light sleepers and often suffer from insomnia. They are somewhat neurotic, but very intelligent and perfectionists.
6:30 a.m
Wake up and exercise
7:30 am
Have breakfast
9:30am
Drink coffee
10:00am–12:00pm
Work on creative projects
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00–4:00pm
Work on whatever demands you most intellectually.
6:00 pm
Meditate or do yoga
6:30–8:00pm
Dinner
10:30–11:30pm
Turn off screens, take a hot shower and read a novel
11:30pm
lie down to
Lion
Lions tend to get up early, with a lot of energy. By nightfall, they are already exhausted. They are conscious, practical and very optimistic.
5:30 am
Wake up and have breakfast
6:00-7:00am
Think about your day, make your agenda and meditate
9:00–10:00am
Drink coffee
10:00am–12:00pm
Hold your meetings
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00–5:00pm
Work on creative projects
5:00–6:00pm
Meditate or do yoga
6:00–7:00pm
Dinner
10:00
Turn off screens
11:30pm
go to sleep
Bear
The bear’s biological clock is highly determined by dawn and dusk. They need to sleep 8 hours. They are cautious, friendly and open-minded.
7:00 am
Wake up and do a few minutes of exercise
7:30 am
Have breakfast
9:00–10:00am
Plan your day
10:00am–12:00pm
Work on demanding things. Send professional emails
12:00 pm
Take a walk, have lunch, then take another walk
2:30–2:50pm
Take a nap or meditate
3:00–6:00pm
Make calls and send emails
6:00–7:00pm
exercise
7:30 pm
Dinner
8:00–10:00pm
Work on creative projects
10:00 pm
Turn off screens
11:00pm
go to sleep
Wolf
Wolves have a hard time getting up in the morning and have more energy in the afternoons. They are impulsive and very creative.
7:00–7:30am
Wake up to two alarms. Put your thoughts in order
7:30 am
Have breakfast
8:30am
Get a few minutes of exercise outside
9:00 am
Plan your day
11:00am–1:00pm
Drink coffee. Take care of tasks
1:00 pm
Take a walk and have lunch
4:00–6:00pm
Have meetings and present your ideas with collaborators
6:00–7:00pm
exercise
8:00 pm
Dinner
11:00pm
Turn off screens, meditate and take a hot shower
12:00 pm
go to sleep