Could Waking Up Early Actually Curb Your Depression?

A new study suggests that individuals who are "early risers" may be less likely to develop depression.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Waking Up Early Could Curb Depression   A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that individuals who are "early risers" may be less likely to develop depression. The study specifically zeroed in on genetics in relation to sleep schedules, using biomedical data from companies like 23andMe.   Approximately 250,000 completed the sleep preference study and 85,000 wore a sleep tracking device. The goal was to determine how gene variants might influence sleep quantity and wake times.   Ultimately, the study concluded that people who were naturally early risers were at a lower risk of developing depression. Perhaps more compelling, it found that shifting your sleep schedule by even one hour earlier can decrease that risk by 23%.     Bad sleep habits—meaning not getting enough, primarily—has an impact on fostering depression."  — DAVID RAPOPORT, MD What This Means For You While there's no altering your genetics, a simple one-hour shift in your sleep schedule has the potential to make a difference in your overall mental and physical wellness.   Prioritizing quality of sleep is also important. It helps to set and maintain clear bedtime hours and to create a quiet, calming bedroom space that allows for easier sleep.     On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us We've rounded up the top sleep apps of 2021. You can use them to track and improve your sleep quality. Products to Help You Feel Your Best The Hatch Restore Smart Sleep Assistant is an alarm clock for the future. It wakes you gently with a smart "sunrise alarm" and features a sound machine and meditation app. To sleep cooler during the warm months, consider swapping in sheets and comforters made with breathable fabrics, such as Layla's Bamboo Sheets. Read These Next Morning Larks and Night Owls: How Your Body's Biological Clock Impacts You READ NOW Should You Change Your Schedule to Match Your Biological Clock? READ NOW The Effects of an Irregular Sleep Schedule READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy