Exploring the Five Unique Types of Sleepers and Their Impact on Health
It’s not just morning larks and night owls. Recent research has identified five distinct types of sleepers, each with unique patterns of behavior and health outcomes.
These “hidden subgroups” within early risers and late sleepers offer valuable insights into how our sleep habits are linked to our overall health and lifestyle choices.
Early birds can be divided into two groups – one with minimal health issues and another with higher rates of depression. On the other hand, night owls exhibit a wide range of sleep patterns and associated outcomes.
“In today’s modern world, characterized by digital advancements and the aftermath of the pandemic, sleep patterns have become more diverse than ever before,” states Le Zhou, a neuroscience graduate student at McGill University.
“Understanding this biological diversity could pave the way for personalized approaches to sleep management, work schedules, and mental health support.”
While early birds and night owls are the most recognized ‘chronotypes‘ indicating our alertness levels during the day, researchers have long argued that there are more than just two chronotypes.
The study delves into multiple sleep patterns correlated with various health, psychological, and lifestyle outcomes, unveiling novel chronotypes that were previously unidentified.
The analysis of health data and self-reported sleep patterns from 27,030 UK Biobank adults revealed two early bird subtypes and three night owl groups, with similar subtypes appearing in a cohort of over 10,000 US teenagers.
Subtype 1 represents one of the night owl patterns associated with risky behaviors, emotional regulation challenges, quicker reaction times, and superior cognitive performance compared to early birds.
Subtype 2 portrays a less favorable night owl pattern linked to depression, smoking, and heightened cardiovascular risks. Individuals in this subtype exhibit lower physical activity levels, reduced brain white matter integrity, and a higher likelihood of using antidepressants.
Subtype 3 embodies a ‘morningness’ pattern characterized by fewer health issues. Sleepers in this category tend to avoid smoking, consume alcohol infrequently, and engage in fewer risky behaviors. They may experience higher anxiety levels but generally have fewer emotional regulation difficulties.
Subtype 4 is another early-bird chronotype that tends to include more females. This group is associated with depressive symptoms and prescriptions for antidepressant medications.
Subtype 5 represents the final night owl group, dominated by males. It is linked to increased consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis, as well as elevated risks of cardiovascular issues and prostate diseases.
Related: Massive Study Links 6 Sleep Traits to Risk of 172 Diseases
“It is increasingly apparent that our internal sleep phases are intertwined with various aspects of daily life beyond what was previously understood,” concludes the research team in their study.
The findings were published in Nature Communications.
