Rising in the small hours

Getting up at three or four in the morning, and staying up, for an hour or so at least is not for everyone, particularly the young (unless baby-feeding calls) or the hung-over. As a regular event whether such has any beneficial effect or simply represents badly-broken-sleep depends on the individual. The answer probably lies in the middle somewhere for many practising it. When 'rising very early' becomes a frequent occurence later in life, perhaps it can be traced back to such behaviour decades before. Rolling out of bed at 4.30 a.m. to study for upcoming exams, followed by further kip between 6.00 and 7.30 may ring bells for some. For those who need to rise and stay risen, getting up well before daylight to bring dairy cows in for milking can be the norm, and the early-morning newspaper deliverers are in a similar boat. Retiring at an early hour the night before is the pattern then. All forms of shift-worker are in a like position and there are those who, through some type of ailment, need sleep-medication. Whatever the particular circumstance, it would appear that interrupted sleep of the above variety causes no detriment, provided that the person gets sufficient sleep for the (24 hr.) day. Drowsiness late-afternoon can be a hazard, however, especially if one is driving or operating equipment.