Is sleeping late really bad for the health?

Some adults who regard themselves as night owls may be more productive during the wee hours of the night. A study suggests that there is a link between creativity and staying up late. However, the benefits of going to bed on time outweigh the positive effects of going to bed early in the morning.

According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., individuals with evening-driven schedules may be prone to health problems such as high blood sugar. The study was conducted to small sample size yet found out that female participants who worked till late at night were more likely to experience hyperglycemia. Significantly high blood sugar is typically linked to other health conditions such as headache, fatigue, and grave ones like kidney damage and heart disease.

“Social jet lag” or maintaining a regular sleep schedule during the week and staying up late on weekends could affect a person’s health. A study discovered that for every hour an individual’s sleep schedule shifts, their risk of heart disease increases by 11%. Staying up late affects eating habits, particularly causing a person to eat more. As the night progresses, people begin to crave food with little benefits.

Slumber affects the immune system. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., reminds readers to sleep early to let the body heal. Sleeping late might be linked to depression, as individuals who regard themselves as night owls were found to be the ones most likely to express or display symptoms of depression. The link was mainly witnessed in participants who had type-2 diabetes who also stayed up late.

Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., is a board-certified specialist in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep medicine. She completed her Master’s in Public Health from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service. Read more about Dr. Cannon on this page.