BEING a night owl in a world built for early birds isn’t easy.
For one, late risers are often unfairly derided as lazy.
And for years, experts have warned that late-nighters face a higher risk of depression than early risers.
But until now, the reason behind this link has remained unclear.
But a new study in PLOS One might offer fresh insight into why owls are more prone to depression than larks.
University of Surrey researchers surveyed 546 students.
They looked at sleep patterns, mindfulness, rumination, alcohol use, and mental health.
The study revealed that night owls were more prone to depression than morning types, and were significantly more prone to worring, which is often linked to depression.
Researchers said this backs up previous studies which suggest people are more likely to worry and ruminate at the end of the day.
The study also found that morning lovers were more likely to act with mindfulness, such as they were acting with awareness of their emotions and thoughts.
Those who stayed up were also significantly more likely to drink alcohol and also had poorer sleep.
The authors concluded: “With many young adults’ experiencing poor mental health, these study findings are particularly important – many young adults tend to stay up late and the results point to how interventions could be implemented to reduce their risk of depression.”
Several studies have previously found saying up into the early hours a few times a week can increase your chances of heart disease,
This is because heart and blood vessels are regulated by the body’s sleep-wake cycle.
Night owls are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who go to bed early, US scientists have suggested.
Experts from Rutgers University in New Jersey found night owls were less active in the day and worse at using fat for energy. This resulted in a build-up of fats which can lead to Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Those staying up late were also less sensitive to insulin, potentially harming health.
Another study published in 2018 found women who go to bed late have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than early-risers.
Depression… the signs to look for and what to do
Depression can manifest in many ways.
We all feel a bit low from time to time.
But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through.
They may also struggle to about daily life.
Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience:
How you might feel
- Down, upset or tearful
- Restless, agitated or irritable
- Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
- Empty and numb
- Isolated and unable to relate to other people
- Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
- Angry or frustrated over minor things
- A sense of unreality
- No self-confidence or self-esteem
- Hopeless and despairing
- Feeling tired all the time
How you might act
- Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
- Self-harming or suicidal behaviour
- Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
- Losing interest in sex
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
- Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
- Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
- No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight
- Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
- Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
