Why is productivity somewhat better at night?

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Nighttime productivity can be better for some people due to the natural secretion of melatonin in the evening. According to , melatonin is released as evening approaches, fostering a state conducive to sleep. However, by managing light exposure, particularly avoiding bright and overhead artificial lights from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., we can mitigate some of the sleep-inducing effects of melatonin. This adaptation means that under controlled lighting conditions, one could potentially feel more alert and thus more productive during these hours 1.

Optimize Your Sleep

Andrew explains the importance of avoiding bright artificial lights between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. to improve sleep quality. He also recommends using low lights at night and bright artificial lights during the day to optimize sleep-wake cycles. Additionally, viewing evening sunset light can offset some of the negative effects of artificial light at night.

Huberman Lab

Sleep Toolkit: Tools for Optimizing Sleep & Sleep-Wake Timing | Huberman Lab Podcast #84
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