To go to bed and wake each day at different times may be linked to more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

This is suggested by a study of researchers from the University of California in San Francisco and San Diego, published in the magazine Scientific Reports.

The research examined the data of some 23 thousand adults who used intelligent Oura rings to monitor sleep.

Researchers calculated the regularity of sleep hours on a scale of between 0 and 100. The higher the score, the more stable the pace of sleep and wake up.

Participants with little or no symptoms of depression and anxiety averaged 84 points.

Those with serious symptoms of depression had an average of 75 points, while people with serious anxiety were 79 points. Less regular sleep was also accompanied by more frequent feelings of loneliness.

Experts stress that it is not necessary for all to sleep exactly eight hours, but keeping a steady schedule can be very important.

A regular routine also helps stabilize meals, physical activity, and social life, affecting the body’s biological rhythm.

Researchers warn, however, that the relationship functions in both directions: disorderly sleep can negatively affect mental health, but depression and anxiety can make it more difficult to maintain a routine.

Hence, the results do not testify that irregular bedtime is the direct cause of such problems. Experts also caution sleep monitoring not to turn into a new source of anxiety. /Telegraphy/