Category - Health & fitness
Doctor Warns of Health Risks for Night Owls
People who stay up past their bedtimes could be suffering from a myriad of health issues stemming from a lack of sleep, a popular physician on TikTok recently revealed.
California-based gastroenterologist Saurabh Sethi, who goes by "Doctor Sethi" on the platform where he boasts nearly 450,000 followers, recently posted a video outlining what happens to your brain and body when you habitually stay up past midnight.
"If you regularly stay up past midnight, you may experience several issues. I want to explain how getting less than seven to nine hours of sleep and going to bed late can affect you," Sethi explains in the short clip. He went on to detail four issues that a lack of sleep may cause, including weight gain, a decline in mood, out of control stress levels, and an overall struggle with concentration and thinking throughout the day.
"To improve your overall health, including hormone balance, gut health, and mood; aim to sleep before midnight and stick to a consistent bedtime," Seth added. "Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night."
@doctorsethimd What Happens To Your Brain If You Go To Bed After Midnight ⁉️ Dr. Sethi #medical
♬ original sound - Doctor Sethi ⚡️
A recent study published earlier this year likewise examined the mental heath issues night owls might face, with researchers comparing participants preferred sleep behavior, or their "chronotype," with their actual sleep behavior.
"There is a bunch of data out there indicating that living aligned to your chronotype is very important," said the study's lead author Renske Lok. However, they were ultimately proven wrong when they found that people defying their natural sleep tendencies and forcing themselves to get to bed early yielded overall preferable mental health results.
Those dealing with the nightly struggle may want to consider a sleep-tracking app to help get a better night's rest and all the benefits that come with it.