A doctor has issued a warning after a study found a common habit for many is linked to higher risks of anxiety and depression. Dr Mark Hyman, who is also a speaker, educator and podcast host, took to Instagram to share the information uncovered by researchers.
He said that the study, which analysed the sleeping patterns of more than 70,000 adults. It found that “individuals should start sleeping before 1am to age healthily”, and linked going to sleep later with poor mental health.
Dr Hyman said: “Going to bed late, regardless of your natural preference, is consistently linked with poorer mental health outcomes.” He added: “When your natural sleep-wake preference clashes with your actual sleep behaviour, this misalignment can disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm, leading to increased inflammation, disrupted hormone regulation, and imbalances in mood-regulating neurotransmitters”.
He went on to say that this can lead to people feeling more anxious, depressed, and mentally drained “even if you’re technically getting enough hours of sleep”. Dr Hyman continued: “If you’re struggling with mood swings, anxiety, or low energy, consider this simple but powerful shift: align your sleep schedule with biology.
“The simple fix is to prioritize sleep timing, not just sleep duration. Aligning your bedtime with your biology could be the mental health boost you didn’t know you needed.”