As hard as it might be for night owls to believe, there really is something called a sunrise, and there really are people who are awake and alert enough to enjoy it. In fact, a morning person may actually have time to take a morning walk or run and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before starting his or her workday. Needless to say, the battle lines between morning people and night owls are clearly drawn.

A morning person generally feels at his or her best during the hours before noon. Waking up to the first rays of the sun or an alarm clock set in single digits is rarely a problem. Many morning people feel energized after a full night's sleep and can shake what few cobwebs remain by taking a bracing morning shower. The early hours are also ideal for taking care of routine matters such as email correspondence, household finances and reading the newspaper.

Unlike their night owl counterparts, who prefer to stay up late and sleep away the morning, a morning person actually gains energy from the sights and sounds of a day just beginning. Jogging or walking can seem more invigorating when performed in the crisp morning air, and many morning people enjoy the feeling of accomplishment before they start their actual workday.

There are a few drawbacks to a morning person's preferred routine, however. Many stores and professional services are not available during the early hours when a morning person is at his or her best. In order to maintain a morning riser schedule, a morning person may also have to go to bed earlier in the evening than their night owl family members and friends. A morning person rarely stays up past 9 or 10 o'clock on most nights, meaning he or she may miss out on some late night activities.

Some scientists suggest a morning person's preference for the early morning hours is partially based on genetics, particularly on a gene which affects a person's circadian rhythm and response to sunlight. A true morning person has a natural sleep cycle which depends on a bright light source arriving at the proper time. If a morning person does not receive this light cue during the early morning hours, he or she may feel just as groggy as a night owl forced to wake up too soon.

Conversely, a night owl can learn to become a morning person by deliberately turning on a bright light source upon waking in the morning. Moving the alarm clock away from the bed can also prevent a night owl from hitting the snooze button too often. Making the bed within minutes of waking can also discourage a night owl from crawling back under the covers. Many people would have considered themselves morning people at some point in their lives, but the opportunity to sleep in or a preference for late night activities have converted them to night owls.

Converting from a night owl to a morning person will not happen overnight, but sleep experts suggest going to bed no later than 10 o'clock at night, avoiding eating or watching television just before bedtime, and maintaining an early wake-up schedule every day of the week, including weekends. Eventually the body will adapt to the change in light cues and a converted night owl should have a higher level of energy in the morning.

Just watch the whistling. Some of us unrepentant night owls are still trying to sleep.