A recent study from Imperial College London suggests that going to bed after 1 a.m. may have negative effects on mental health, regardless of whether an individual is a morning person or a night owl. The research indicates that later bedtimes may lead to decreased REM sleep, which is essential for optimal brain function. The study, published in Psychiatry Research, found that individuals who go to bed before 1 a.m. generally have better mental health outcomes, with fewer reported cases of mental disorders.
The concept of chronotypes, or preferences for the time of day one prefers to be awake or sleeping, has long intrigued sleep researchers. While some people naturally prefer waking up and going to bed early, others prefer to stay up late. Surprisingly, the study found that individuals who identify as evening people and go to bed after 1 a.m. had the poorest mental health outcomes. On the other hand, morning people who went to sleep early demonstrated better mental health.
Senior study author, Jamie Zeitzer, suggested that staying up late can lead to feelings of isolation, impacting mental health. He also noted that the brain may function differently late at night, affecting mood regulation. Sara Wong, a researcher not involved in the study, explained that late sleepers often experience a reduction in total sleep duration, particularly in REM sleep, which is linked to mood regulation and mental health disorders.
The study’s findings shed light on the impact of sleep patterns on mental health, challenging the traditional belief that aligning sleep with one’s chronotype is essential. Zeitzer noted that while aligning sleep patterns with one’s preferred awake hours may be beneficial, staying up late, particularly past 1 a.m., can have negative effects on mental health. He also mentioned that social patterns and behaviors may contribute to these findings, highlighting the importance of understanding individual sleep preferences.
Researcher Jonathan Cedernaes emphasized the influence of environmental factors, such as artificial light and work schedules, on sleep patterns and mental health outcomes. He suggested that societies may not be well-suited for evening chronotypes, leading to poorer health outcomes. However, the study’s unexpected findings challenge the traditional understanding of chronotypes and mental health, suggesting that staying up late may have detrimental effects regardless of individual preferences.
The study’s authors recognize the need for further research to understand the relationship between sleep patterns, chronotypes, and mental health outcomes. Future studies may explore the role of seasonal changes, social patterns, and environmental factors on sleep quality and mental health. By shedding light on the impact of bedtime on mental health, this research opens up new avenues for understanding the complex relationship between sleep habits and psychological well-being.
