A new study suggests that individuals who stay up late—often referred to as “night owls”—may be at a significantly higher risk for depression compared to early risers.
Researchers from the University of Surrey in the UK analysed data from young adults and found that poor sleep quality, increased alcohol use, and lower mindfulness may explain the connection between night owl tendencies and depression.
Why Do Night Owls Experience More Depression?
The study surveyed 546 university students, aged 17 to 28, to assess their sleep patterns, alcohol consumption, mindfulness, and depression symptoms.
Findings indicated that those with an evening chronotype—who naturally stay up late—had significantly higher depression rates compared to morning chronotypes, who wake up early and are active during the day.
“A large proportion (around 50%) of young adults are ‘night owls,’ and depression rates among young adults are higher than ever,” said Simon Evans, PhD, lead researcher and neuroscience lecturer at the University of Surrey.
The Broader Connection Between Sleep and Mental Health
Dr Richard A. Bermudes, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Brainsway, emphasised the crucial role of sleep in emotional well-being, highlighting that sleep disturbances are both a symptom and a contributing factor to depression. “Poor sleep can be both a symptom of depression and a contributing factor,” Bermudes said. “
“Quality sleep is essential for emotional regulation and overall well-being especially for young adults, whose brains are still developing, consistent.” He also stressed the need to identify modifiable risk factors, such as sleep patterns, physical activity, and nutrition, to improve depression treatment.
“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.”
Managing Sleep and Mental Health in a Digital World
Dr Nathan Carroll, chief psychiatry resident at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, discussed the challenges young adults face in maintaining healthy sleep habits amid today’s digital distractions. “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,” Carroll said.
He emphasised the importance of mindfulness and “acting with awareness” techniques to improve sleep, depression, and other comorbid risk factors. “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,” he explained.
Conclusion
This study underscores the importance of addressing modifiable factors such as sleep habits, alcohol use, and mindfulness, with depression rates climbing among young adults. Researchers are already planning future studies to investigate how screen time and digital technology affect sleep and mental health in young adults.
Experts stated that improving sleep quality and raising awareness about its impact on mental health could be essential in reducing the risk of depression for future generations.