Irregular Sleep Schedules Linked to Greater Risk of Anxiety and Depression, Study Finds

A comprehensive study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has found that individuals with irregular sleep-wake schedules may face a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. While much of previous sleep research has concentrated on sleep duration and quality, this new investigation specifically looked at sleep regularity by tracking how consistently participants maintained the same sleep and wake times over extended periods. The findings were published on November 12 in Scientific Reports.

To evaluate sleep consistency, the research team analyzed months of data collected from smart rings worn by approximately 23,000 participants enrolled in the TemPredict study, with an average participant age of 46. The devices monitored movement and vital signs to estimate sleep and wake times, allowing researchers to calculate a sleep regularity index (SRI) ranging from 0 to 100. Participants also completed monthly self-reported surveys assessing their levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The results showed that lower SRI scores—indicating more erratic sleep schedules—corresponded with greater psychological distress, with severely depressed participants averaging an SRI of 75 compared to 84 for those with minimal symptoms.

The study authors note that the observational nature of the research means the findings show a link rather than a definitive cause-and-effect relationship, and the data relies partly on self-reported mental health assessments. Senior author Ashley Mason explained that while irregular sleep may contribute to weakened circadian alignment, the relationship could also be bidirectional, where poor mental health disrupts sleep patterns. Future clinical investigations are needed to determine whether actively stabilizing sleep schedules can directly improve mental well-being. Readers should consult a healthcare professional for personal medical or sleep advice.

What to know: Inconsistent sleep and wake times may disrupt circadian rhythms and are linked to increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Maintaining a steady sleep schedule could be an important factor in supporting overall mental health.