Study finds night owls have higher risk of depression

A new study from the University of Surrey found that individuals who prefer to stay up late—commonly known as night owls—are at a higher risk of experiencing depression. The research suggests that the increased risk is linked to factors such as poor sleep quality, lower mindfulness, and greater difficulty expressing emotions.

The study analyzed the sleep patterns of 546 university students, with an average age of nearly 20 years. Participants completed electronic questionnaires collecting data on their sleep habits, mental state, and alcohol consumption to determine their chronotype—individual preferences in sleep and wake times. The questionnaires also assessed depression symptoms, mindfulness levels, thinking patterns, and sleep quality.

The findings revealed a close link between staying up late and depression. Night owls showed greater symptoms of depression than those with a moderate sleep pattern. Researchers found that night owls tend to have lower sleep quality compared to early risers, leading to increased daytime sleepiness and decreased awareness of the present moment.

Simon Evans, a lecturer in neuroscience at the University of Surrey and lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding the link. "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," he said.

The higher depression symptoms among late-night participants are attributed to several factors, including lack of sleep, rumination of negative thoughts, and the impact of work and study demands that force them to go against their biological nature. Researchers discovered that lower mindfulness, along with poor sleep quality and higher alcohol consumption, likely explains night owls' greater risk of depression.

"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," Evans continued.

Alcohol is recognized as a mediating factor in the relationship between a nocturnal lifestyle and depression, as it can exacerbate depressive symptoms and worsen sleep.

The researchers noted, "These results align with previous studies linking poor sleep and alcohol with depression."

The study clarified that mindfulness traits, such as "acting with awareness" and "describing feelings," may help reduce the risk of depression. "Morning types present with higher 'acting with awareness' because of their tendency to sleep better and therefore have a lower risk of fatigue, inattention, and mind wandering during the day," the research team wrote.

Improving sleep hygiene—such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, reducing screen time before bed, and enhancing the sleep environment—can help night owls get the restful sleep they need. Establishing fixed rituals and calming evening routines can improve sleep habits. Using blue light filters on mobile phones and setting a consistent bedtime may promote better sleep quality. Reducing alcohol consumption and engaging in mindfulness exercises, such as guided meditation, can stabilize mental health in the long term.

"Given the growing popularity of mindfulness training for improving mental health, the current results indicate that enhancing the 'acting with awareness' facet of mindfulness should be prioritized in the design of mindfulness interventions," the researchers concluded.

Prior studies have also indicated that night owls are more likely to experience depression. Researchers discovered that exposure to bright light at night, whether from screens or artificial lighting, disrupts sleep and negatively impacts 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," said Samer Hattar, an investigator in the biology department at Johns Hopkins University.

Night owls, who prefer to be active in the evening and sleep and wake up later, often sleep more during daylight hours when the world is expected to be most active. This lifestyle can lead to issues such as increased symptoms of depression. People who work night shifts or lead lifestyles that require them to be active at night may be at risk of depression.

"If there were a simple way to decrease the risk of developing depression, most people would take it," Evans said.

The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.