Note for night owls: What health risks you face and how to protect yourself
Night owls at risk due to their sleep patterns (photo: freepik.com)
People who are used to going to bed late and waking up late may be a risk. Scientists have found that night owls are more likely to face heart problems, depression, diabetes, and alcoholism. And it’s not just about the amount of sleep – it's about the circadian rhythm itself.
Why night owls are more prone to health problems and what scientists are warning about, according to The Jerusalem Post.
What is known about the new study
A new study conducted at the University of Surrey showed that night owls (people who prefer to stay up late) have a higher risk of depression. Scientists emphasize that the increased risk is associated with factors such as poor sleep quality, low attentiveness, and greater difficulty in expressing emotions.
Participants filled out electronic questionnaires in which they indicated information about their sleep habits, mental state, and alcohol consumption. This was necessary for scientists to determine each volunteer's chronotype regarding sleep and wake times. The questionnaires also helped assess symptoms of depression, level of mindfulness, thinking patterns, and sleep quality.
Results revealed a strong link between the habit of staying up late and depression.
Night owls showed stronger symptoms of depression than those who lived with a moderate sleep schedule.
Scientists also found that owls generally have lower sleep quality compared to those who wake up early. This leads to increased daytime sleepiness and decreased awareness of the present moment.
"A large proportion - around 50% - of young adults are night owls, and depression rates among young adults are higher than ever. Studying the link is therefore important," added the author of the study, Simon Evans, a lecturer in neuroscience at the University of Surrey.
He explained that the worsening of depression symptoms in owls is explained by several factors, including:
- Sleep deprivation
- Ruminating on negative thoughts
- The influence of work and study forces them to go against their biological nature
What the owl schedule may lead to
Researchers found that low attentiveness, along with poor sleep quality and high alcohol consumption, likely explains the greater risk of depression in owls.
"More important is the finding that the link between chronotype and depression was fully mediated by certain aspects of mindfulness - 'acting with awareness' in particular - sleep quality, and alcohol consumption. This means that these factors seem to explain why night owls report more depression symptoms," added Evans.
Scientists say that such traits of mindfulness as awareness and describing feelings can help reduce the risk of depression. "Early birds" demonstrate more mindful action due to their tendency to sleep better and therefore have a lower risk of fatigue, inattentiveness, and mind-wandering during the day.
How owls can help themselves
Improving sleep, such as keeping a regular schedule, reducing screen time before bed, and improving the sleep environment, can help owls get the restful sleep they need.
Establishing consistent rituals and calming evening routines can improve sleep habits. This can also help reduce evening alcohol consumption and encourage engaging in mindfulness practices like guided meditation. All this helps stabilize mental health in the long run.
What else affects owls' sleep
Another interesting fact found by researchers: exposure to bright light at night, whether from screens or artificial lighting, disrupts owls’ sleep and negatively affects mental health.
"Basically, what we found is that chronic exposure to bright light - even the kind of light you experience in your own living room at home - elevates levels of a certain stress hormone in the body, which results in depression and lowers cognitive function," added Samer Hattar, an investigator in the biology department at Johns Hopkins University.
Owls are more active in the evening, then they sleep and wake up later, and many of them sleep during the day when the rest of the world is active. This lifestyle can lead to problems that intensify depression symptoms.
People who work night shifts or live a lifestyle that requires them to be active at night have a significant risk of developing depression.
We also reported on 7 things in your bedroom that prevent you from sleeping at night.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
