Home / Health / Night Owls Suffer More Anxiety, Loneliness
Night Owls Suffer More Anxiety, Loneliness
4 Jun
Summary
- Later sleep schedules linked to increased anxiety and loneliness.
- Nocturnal loneliness partially explains higher anxiety in night owls.
- Social schedule misalignment may contribute to night owls' issues.
Individuals who naturally prefer sleeping and waking later, known as night owls, may be more prone to experiencing anxiety and loneliness, according to recent findings. These sleep preferences are associated with significant increases in reported anxiety levels.
Researchers found that feelings of loneliness during the night partially account for the heightened anxiety observed in night owls. This suggests that both daytime and nighttime social interactions are crucial when considering the mental health of those with later chronotypes.
The study highlights that night owls might face social challenges due to their schedules not aligning with the general population. Interventions focusing on loneliness, particularly nighttime loneliness and associated anxiety, could offer meaningful support for improving the well-being of individuals with later chronotypes.
These preliminary findings are set to be presented on June 17 at SLEEP 2026, a joint meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, in Baltimore.
