Early birds healthier and happier: study

A UK study has found early risers complete morning chores quicker and thrive in the workplace. Photo / Thinkstock

If you're a morning person, chances are you're happier, healthier and slimmer than people who like a lie in, a study has found.

A UK study has found early risers complete morning chores quicker and thrive in the workplace, while those who struggle to get out of bed are more likely to be depressed, stressed and overweight, the Irish Independent reports.

Researchers surveyed 1068 adults online about their sleeping and eating habits, as well as their levels of happiness, anxiety and physical health.

Morning people were those who got out of bed by 6.58am on average during the week, while evening people fled the bed at 7.47am each day.

On weekends both groups enjoyed another hour under the covers.

Dr Joerg Huber of Roehampton University said the morning people tend to be healthier and happier, as well as having lower body mass indices, the Independent reported.

He told a British Psychological Society conference the reasons may be down to the fact that getting morning chores out of the way and getting children to school more quickly helps people deal with hectic modern life.

But don't get too excited if you get up when the sun doesn't shine, Dr Huber said the differences are small and there may be some benefits to being an evening person, such as in jobs which require working late.

- NZ HERALD STAFF