The Evening Type in a 24/7 World: Adapted or at Risk?

Modern society operates around the clock, with more than 20% of workers engaged in shift work.These nonstandard working hours, often falling outside the typical 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM timeframe, are essential for sectors like healthcare, transportation, and protective services [1].However, this round-the-clock demand frequently creates a conflict between imposed work schedules and individuals' natural biological rhythms, known as circadian rhythms [2][3][4].A central feature of shift work is the disruption of circadian rhythms, a state of misalignment between physiological functions and imposed sleep-wake behavior [4].The disruption of these rhythms is associated with a wide array of negative health consequences, including sleep disorders, gastrointestinal issues, metabolic disorders, certain neoplasms, immune diseases, and mood disorders like depression and anxiety [5].It can also lead to cognitive abnormalities such as poor concentration and memory. CHRONOTYPE, SOCIAL JETLAG, AND SLEEP MISALIGNMENTAdding another layer of complexity is the inherent variability in human circadian timing, characterized by individual chronotypes [6,7].Chronotype describes an individual's preference for sleep and activity times and is largely influenced by genetics, development, and environmental light.Chronotypes exist on a continuum, ranging from extreme morning types who prefer early