Changing your bedtime routine a bit can help boost your mental health. Waking up early can be tough, especially when your bed feels so cozy compared to the world outside. However, did you know that waking up a bit earlier than usual could lower your chances of feeling depressed? Recent studies suggest that pushing yourself to get out of bed a little earlier can actually enhance your mood and overall well-being.
Research
A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder, the Broad Institute of MIT, and Harvard reveals that people who wake up early tend to be happier than those who sleep in. The researchers suggest that simply setting your alarm a bit earlier can make a difference. This is because each person has a specific sleep pattern, known as a chronotype, which is partly influenced by genetics. And this chronotype has an impact on our mental well-being. According to Science Daily, night owls are up to twice as likely to experience depression compared to early risers, regardless of their total sleep duration.
Early
So, how early do we need to wake up to experience these benefits? That’s the same question the researchers asked themselves. Celine Vetter, an assistant professor of integrative physiology at CU Boulder and the senior author of the study, explained in a press statement, “We’ve known for some time that there’s a connection between sleep timing and mood, but clinicians often wonder: How much earlier do we need to shift people to see an improvement?” The study suggests that by waking up just one hour earlier, you can reduce the risk of depression. You can achieve this by gradually setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier each day. It’s that simple!
Unfortunately, the research doesn’t mention anything about people who already wake up early. However, if you usually don’t wake up before 8 a.m., it might be worth trying to set your alarm a bit earlier tomorrow morning.
Also Read : WHAT YOUR WAKE-UP TIME REVEALS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH ?
source image : unsplash
