Share on PinterestScientists have found a link between night owls’ habits and an increased risk for depression. Cosma Andrei/Stocksy
- There are several risk factors for depression, including poor sleep and alcohol use.
- A new study found evidence suggesting that “night owls” who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than “early risers” who are awake more during daylight hours.
- Researchers believe this is because “night owls” generally have poor sleep quality, less mindfulness, and higher alcohol use than “early risers.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 5% of the world’s population lives with depression.
“Depression is a serious health issue which affects many people worldwide,” Simon Evans, PhD, a neuroscience lecturer and researcher in the School of Psychology of the University of Surrey in the U.K. told Medical News Today. “Depression affects daily functioning, and can impact a person’s work and education. It also increases the risk of going on to develop other serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke, so it’s important for us to study ways to reduce depression.”
Evans is the lead author of a new study that found evidence suggesting that “night owls” who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than “early risers” who are awake more during daylight hours.
The study was recently published in the journal PLOS One.
‘Night owls’ have higher depression rate than ‘early risers’
For this study, researchers collected data from 546 students ranging in ages 17–28 attending the University of Surrey via an online questionnaire that asked them for information on their sleep patterns, alcohol use, mindfulness, and levels of depression and anxiety.
Upon analysis, Evans and his team found that study participants with an evening chronotype — or night owls — had a notably higher risk of depression compared to those with a morning chronotype, or early risers.
A person’s chronotype — or preferred time of day they like to be awake or asleep — affects their body’s natural circadian rhythm.
“A large proportion (around 50%) of young adults are ‘night owls,’ and depression rates among young adults are higher than ever,” Evans said. “Studying the link is therefore important.”
How sleep and alcohol use affect depression risk
Researchers believe the reason behind the heightened depression risk is that evening chronotypes reported poor sleep quality and more alcohol use and acted with less mindfulness than those with morning chronotypes.
“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,” Evans explained. “This means that these factors seem to explain why night owls report more depression symptoms.”
“Up to 50% of young people are night owls, and our research shows that strategies to encourage higher mindfulness, such as guided meditation and mindfulness exercises, better sleep quality, and lower alcohol use, would positively benefit the mental health of these individuals,” he continued. “This is particularly important given the high rates of depression amongst young adults worldwide.”
“We’re planning further studies that include screen time and digital technology use to see how these factors affect the sleep and mental health of young adults,” Evans added.
What’s the link between mental health and sleep?
MNT had the opportunity to speak with Richard A. Bermudes, MD, psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Brainsway, about this study, who commented it reinforces something doctors see every day in clinical practice — sleep and mental health are deeply connected.
“Poor sleep can be both a symptom of depression and a contributing factor,” Bermudes explained.
“For young adults, whose brains are still developing, consistent, quality sleep is essential for emotional regulation and overall well-being. The more we learn about how sleep impacts depression risk, the better we can intervene early and prevent long-term struggles,” he said.
“Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and rates are rising — especially among young adults. While we have effective treatments, many individuals either don’t seek help or don’t respond to some of the standard treatments available. If we can identify modifiable risk factors — like sleep patterns, physical activity, or nutrition — we can help prevent depression before it starts or make existing treatments more effective. Prevention is always easier than treatment, so research in this area is essential.”
— Richard A. Bermudes, MD
Managing sleep, depression in an ‘always on’ society
MNT also spoke to Nathan Carroll, DO, MBA, chief psychiatry resident at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this research.
Carroll commented that this is an excellent study that reinforces the idea that sleep and depression are linked and addressable, specifically by targeting modifiable risk factors that may help evening-type individuals reduce depressive risk.
“In an ‘always on’ society, with tablets, mobile phones, streaming services, and social media, adolescents and young adults are especially driven to stay up late. Techniques such as ‘acting with awareness’ and mindfulness help not only with improving sleep and depression, but also with other comorbid risk factors that may exist for the individual.”
— Nathan Carroll, DO, MBA
“We know that the lifelong toll of depression is severe. It can lead to lower job performance, lower lifetime earnings, worse quality of life, and even shortened life span. Anything we can do to help control the progression of depression at an earlier age is a step in the right direction,” Carroll explained.
“More longitudinal studies validating this study would help build more evidence for these interventions. Additionally, I’d love to see public health campaigns targeting healthy sleep. We know that sleep is such an important factor for our health, it’s worth investing in campaigns aimed at improving sleep,” he added.
