A study of 2,266 Finnish workers found that evening chronotypes, commonly known as night owls, were up to three times more likely than morning people to receive treatment for depression and anxiety. Poor work-life balance and difficulty recovering from work may help explain the increased risk.
Night owls reported greater work-life spillover and more difficulty recovering from work, factors that may contribute to poorer mental health. Image credit: Wok & Apix.
“Night owls are at increased risk not only of mental health problems but also of reduced work capacity,” said Dr. Ilona Merikant of the University of Helsinki and colleagues.
“However, it is unclear why these risks accumulate in night owls rather than other chronotypes, or whether work-life balance plays a role in these associations.”
Researchers analyzed data from Finland’s population-based Healthy Finland Study, which included working adults between the ages of 20 and 65.
The team assessed participants’ chronotypes based on whether they identified as “morning people” or “evening people.” The researchers also used validated measures of depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation, alongside medical treatment records from the Finnish National Register.
Participants who identified as definite night owls were more likely than definite morning people to receive treatment for depression or anxiety disorders. They were also more likely to show signs of psychological distress and generalized anxiety and to report suicidal thoughts.
Moderate evening types showed a similar pattern, although the associations were less pronounced.
The scientists also examined two important aspects of work-life balance: the extent to which work spills over into a person’s free time and mental space, and how effectively they recover from the pressures of the workday.
Night owls reported significantly more difficulties in both areas than morning types.
In one pathway, poor recovery from work partially explained the association between an evening chronotype and anxiety disorders severe enough to require medical treatment. Poor recovery accounted for approximately 13% of this association.
The mismatch between a night owl’s natural sleep-wake rhythm and traditional daytime work schedules may leave evening types feeling more fatigued during the workday and less able to mentally switch off afterward. Work tasks that are harder to complete early in the day may also spill over into personal time.
The researchers concluded that workplace policies designed to improve work-life balance and support recovery from work could help protect the mental health of evening chronotypes. Night owls are estimated to account for approximately 12% to 24% of working-age adults.
“Measures to promote work-life balance and recovery from work can be targeted to the right people,” Dr. Merikant said.
“This may also promote happiness at work and reduce inequality in the workplace.”
The findings appear in the journal Sleep Health.
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Ilona Merikant et al. 2026. The role of recovery from work and work-life spillover in the association between chronotype and mental health problems: A population-based study. Sleep Health 12 (3): 488-495; doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2026.03.001
Source: www.sci.news