ISLAMABAD, MARCH 20 (ONLINE): There are several risk factors for depression, including poor sleep and alcohol use.
\nA new study found evidence suggesting that \u201cnight owls\u201d who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than \u201cearly risers\u201d who are awake more during daylight hours.
\nResearchers believe this is because \u201cnight owls\u201d generally have poor sleep quality, less mindfulness, and higher alcohol use than \u201cearly risers.\u201d
\nAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 5% of the world\u2019s populationTrusted Source lives with depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepression is a serious health issue which affects many people worldwide,\u201d 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. \u201cDepression affects daily functioning, and can impact a person\u2019s work and education. It also increases the risk of going on to develop other serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke, so it\u2019s important for us to study ways to reduce depression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Evans is the lead author of a new study that found evidence suggesting that \u201cnight owls\u201d who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than \u201cearly risers\u201d who are awake more during daylight hours.<\/p>\n
The study was recently published in the journal PLOS One.<\/p>\n
\u2018Night owls\u2019 have higher depression rate than \u2018early risers\u2019
\nFor this study, researchers collected data from 546 students ranging in ages 17\u201328 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.<\/p>\n
Upon analysis, Evans and his team found that study participants with an evening chronotype \u2014 or night owls \u2014 had a notably higher risk of depression compared to those with a morning chronotype, or early risers.<\/p>\n
A person\u2019s chronotypeTrusted Source \u2014 or preferred time of day they like to be awake or asleep \u2014 affects their body\u2019s natural circadian rhythm.<\/p>\n
\u201cA large proportion (around 50%) of young adults are \u2018night owls,\u2019 and depression rates among young adultsTrusted Source are higher than ever,\u201d Evans said. \u201cStudying the link is therefore important.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nHow sleep and alcohol use affect depression risk
\nResearchers 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore important is the finding that the link between chronotype and depression was fully mediated by certain aspects of mindfulness \u2014 \u2018acting with awareness\u2019 in particular \u2014 sleep quality, and alcohol consumption,\u201d Evans explained. \u201cThis means that these factors seem to explain why night owls report more depression symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUp 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,\u201d he continued. \u201cThis is particularly important given the high rates of depression amongst young adults worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re 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,\u201d Evans added.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the link between mental health and sleep?
\nMNT 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 \u2014 sleep and mental health are deeply connected.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoor sleep can be both a symptom of depression and a contributing factor,\u201d Bermudes explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and rates are rising \u2014 especially among young adults. While we have effective treatments, many individuals either don\u2019t seek help or don\u2019t respond to some of the standard treatments available. If we can identify modifiable risk factors \u2014 like sleep patterns, physical activity, or nutrition \u2014 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.\u201d
\n\u2014 Richard A. Bermudes, MD<\/p>\n
Managing sleep, depression in an \u2018always on\u2019 society
\nMNT also spoke to Nathan Carroll, DO, MBA, chief psychiatry resident at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this research.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an \u2018always on\u2019 society, with tablets, mobile phones, streaming services, and social media, adolescents and young adults are especially driven to stay up late. Techniques such as \u2018acting with awareness\u2019 and mindfulness help not only with improving sleep and depression, but also with other comorbid risk factors that may exist for the individual.\u201d
\n\u2014 Nathan Carroll, DO, MBA<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Carroll explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore longitudinal studies validating this study would help build more evidence for these interventions. Additionally, I\u2019d love to see public health campaigns targeting healthy sleep. We know that sleep is such an important factor for our health, it\u2019s worth investing in campaigns aimed at improving sleep,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, MARCH 20 (ONLINE): There are several risk factors for depression, including poor sleep and alcohol use. A new study found evidence suggesting that \u201cnight owls\u201d who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than \u201cearly risers\u201d who […]<\/p>\n
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