Surrey Uni: Night Owls' Depression Risk Linked to Mindfulness, Sleep

New research from the University of Surrey, published in PLOS ONE, reveals a link between being a night owl and an increased risk of depression. The study of 546 university students found that evening types often have lower mindfulness skills and poorer sleep quality, contributing to depression symptoms. Specifically, they scored lower on "acting with awareness" and "describing" emotions, key aspects of mindfulness. Researchers suggest that 'social jetlag,' caused by the mismatch between night owls' natural sleep patterns and morning-oriented schedules, leads to sleep debt and reduced mental bandwidth. Improving sleep quality and practicing mindfulness, particularly awareness and emotional labeling, may help night owls protect their mental health. The study also surprisingly found that moderate alcohol consumption was linked to fewer depression symptoms, potentially due to its social role in university life. The findings suggest that schools and workplaces should consider flexible scheduling to accommodate evening types.