Early risers catch worms, but night owls are more susceptible to depression. A recent study suggests that individuals who prefer staying up late are more likely to experience depressive symptoms.

Research conducted by the University of Surrey reveals that this could be due to the fact that night owls often struggle with poor sleep, exhibit lower levels of mindfulness, and tend to consume more alcohol compared to early birds.

“Late chronotype, also known as ‘eveningness’ or ‘night owl,’ refers to a biological inclination to be active in the evenings and have a later sleep-wake pattern,” explained Cognitive Neuroscience Lecturer Dr. Simon Evans, who led the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “Since chronotypes have a genetic basis, being a night owl is a natural biological predisposition.”

Evans and his team surveyed 564 university students on their sleep habits, mindfulness levels, alcohol consumption, as well as their levels of depression and anxiety, which reflect tendencies towards negative thinking about situations and events.

“Late chronotypes are particularly prevalent among young adults, with up to 50% of young adults falling into this category,” noted Evans. “This is concerning as delayed chronotypes are associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and substance use.”

The study confirmed that night owls were significantly more prone to developing depression than early birds and reported higher levels of anxiety.

Students with later chronotypes reported poorer sleep quality compared to early risers, which researchers attributed to “social jet lag.”

“Being a night owl is common among young adults,” said Evans. “Given the importance of mental health in youth, work and educational schedules should accommodate night owls for improved sleep.”

Furthermore, individuals with a delayed chronotype tended to consume more alcohol, a known risk factor for depression. However, the study did not find a direct association between alcohol consumption and depression among the students involved.

In fact, night owls who consumed alcohol were less likely to experience depression than non-drinkers, although most students consumed alcohol in moderation. Researchers suggest that the social connections formed during drinking may offset the negative effects.

Evans also recommended strategies for night owls to protect themselves from depression, including promoting mindfulness through practices like guided meditation, focusing on improving sleep quality, and reducing alcohol consumption.

This study was recently published in the scientific journal PLOS 1.

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About our experts:

Dr. Simon Evans is a senior lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Surrey. He obtained his PhD from the Institute of Neurology, University College London in 2011 and conducted postdoctoral training at the University of Sussex, where he used MRI techniques to study how genetic factors impact brain activity patterns and cognitive performance. Evans’ primary research interest lies in utilizing brain imaging techniques to explore cognitive changes across the lifespan.