Night owls should consider going to bed earlier, according to a recent study by Stanford University. The study, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, analyzed data from over 73,000 adults in the U.K. Researchers looked at participants’ chronotype (preference for waking up early or staying up late) and actual sleep timing.
The study found that individuals who go to bed after 1:00 a.m. may be at risk for mental health issues. People with a morning preference who go to bed early tend to have better mental health compared to morning types who go to bed late. On the other hand, morning types who stay up late have an increased risk of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Similarly, individuals with an evening preference who stay up late also showed poorer mental health. However, evening types who wake up early have a lower risk of developing depression. Based on these findings, the researchers recommend going to sleep before 1:00 a.m., regardless of preference.
Study co-author Jamie Zeitzer, Ph.D., expressed surprise at the results, noting that they were unexpected. The researchers spent over a year trying to disprove their findings but could not find an alternative explanation. Zeitzer emphasized the importance of good sleep for maintaining good mental health, stating that while bad sleep may not directly cause poor mental health, it can contribute to it.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, a sleep expert, highlighted the multidimensional nature of sleep health, noting that timing plays a crucial role in mental health. She explained that going to bed excessively late on a regular basis can impair decision-making and emotion regulation, leading to mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
For individuals looking to improve their sleep quality, Troxel recommended gradually advancing bedtime earlier, getting plenty of sunlight in the morning, and staying consistent with sleep schedules, even on weekends. Consistency is key to successfully shifting sleep habits.
Ultimately, the study’s findings underscore the importance of prioritizing good sleep habits for better mental health. Being aware of how late nights are spent and making gradual adjustments to sleep schedules can significantly impact overall well-being.