Your Mood Will Probably Decline Over Time
Going to sleep too late does not just affect your body. It also has a major impact on your mental health. Dr. Sethi says poor sleep timing can reduce serotonin levels, a chemical that helps regulate mood. People who stay up past midnight often report feeling anxious, irritable, or even sad. Without enough deep sleep, the brain has a harder time processing emotions and stress. This creates a cycle where bad sleep leads to low mood, which then makes it harder to sleep well. Over time, late nights can contribute to depression or anxiety. Research supports this, showing a link between late bedtimes and mood disorders. If you want to improve your emotional health, aim for the best time to go to sleep so your brain has time to recover properly.
