But according to new research from the U.K.'s University of Surrey, being a night-owl might have serious consequences for mental health—especially if staying up late becomes a pattern.
Published in PLOS One, the study explored why people who tend to stay up late—or identify as “night owls”—are more likely to experience depression. Such was especially of interest since previous research had established a connection; they just hadn't (yet) been able to identify why.
Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Don't Get Enough Sleep
What are Sleep Chronotypes?
According to research, 15% to 25% of the population are morning types, 50% to 60% are intermediate and 10% to 20% are evening-types.
Here's what's really exciting though: Since the researchers used the Reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) to assign each participants' chronotype, we can also surmise which exact bedtime are associated with higher risk of depression—which, by the way, is also associated with a 30% higher risk of chronic illness.
Going to Sleep at This Time Can Double Your Risk of Depression
Based on the aforementioned framework, the evening-types in this study likely stayed up between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m., on average.
Related: The One Nighttime Habit That Could Be Destroying Your Metabolism—Experts Explain
Remember how the purpose of this study was to identify why evening-types were more depressed? Well, they did just that. According to the study, evening-types are twice as likely to become depressed due to four specific factors: Poor sleep quality, low mindfulness, struggling to describe emotions and higher alcohol consumption.
Up Next:
Related: Cardiologists Say This Bedtime Is Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk
Sources
"Mindfulness mediates the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms in young adults." PLOS One."The relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis." Journal of Affective Disorders."Chronotypes: Definition, Types, & Effect on Sleep." Sleep Foundation."The reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire: Psychometric properties and related factors in a young Swedish population." Chronobiology International. Read More Details
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