THE Sleep is not just a time for rest, but a crucial process for mental health and emotional balance. Researchers at Stanford Medicine recently highlighted the profound, bidirectional link between sleep quality and mental health, highlighting that sleep directly influences our mood, our ability to manage stress, and even the risk of psychological disorders.

In a large study involving tens of thousands of participants, it appears clearly that Sleep habits, including bedtime , play a critical role in preventing mental health disorders. As Jamie Zeitzer, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford, points out: "We found that sleeping longer or simply going to bed late was associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, regardless of a person's natural chronotype."

The impact of sleep on emotional regulation

Andrea Goldstein-Piekarski, Ph.D., a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Stanford, describes the relationship between sleep and mood as "bidirectional," meaning that not only does sleep influence emotional state, but emotional state also affects sleep. She explains:

“Sleep affects the regions of the brain that control emotions, allowing us to better manage emotional pressure and reduce the intensity of negative reactions.”

Functional brain imaging and investigations show that in individuals suffering from insomnia or poor sleep, activity in these areas is altered, resulting in a reduced ability to regulate stress and a greater susceptibility to depression or anxiety.

Why does staying up late harm mental health?

The study conducted by Jamie Zeitzer and his team proposes an original theory called "mind after midnight" (mind after midnight) to explain why staying up late is detrimental to mental health:

“After midnight, the brain functions differently because it is tired from the day, social control mechanisms are less present, which can lead to poor choices and increased stress.”

This hypothesis suggests that simply being awake late, regardless of whether or not it aligns with one's natural chronotype, has a negative impact on mental health.

Consequences for common mental disorders

Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, increase the risk of developing mental health problems. People with insomnia, for example, are 10 times more likely to experience depression and 17 times more likely to experience anxiety than the general population, according to data compiled by Stanford Medicine. Sleep apnea is also associated with a threefold increase in the risk of these conditions.

These figures highlight the urgent need to take sleep seriously in the medical monitoring of patients suffering from mental disorders.

Innovative therapies to improve sleep and mental health

In response to these findings, Stanford teams are developing and testing behavioral therapies targeting insomnia (CBT-I) to improve the quality of sleep and, in turn, alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Andrea Goldstein-Piekarski details this approach:

"We help our patients create a sleep-friendly environment by incorporating techniques to reduce anxiety about falling asleep. When their sleep improves, patients also report a significant improvement in their mood."

These advances are promising for offering effective non-drug alternatives, with concrete results observed by brain imaging.

Practical recommendations based on science

According to Stanford experts, it is not enough to get enough sleep, but it is also important to Maintain a regular schedule , including going to bed before 1 a.m., to reduce the risk of psychological problems.

In addition to maintaining a regular routine, limiting screen time before bedtime, creating a quiet and dark bedroom environment, and incorporating relaxing activities before bedtime can help promote more restful sleep and, ultimately, better emotional health.

Sleep, the key to overall well-being

This scientific research highlights the importance of considering sleep not only as a physiological need, but as a major component of mental and emotional health.

In light of the work carried out by Stanford Medicine, it appears essential to promote the recognition of sleep in mental health policies, to prevent and better manage disorders which affect a growing proportion of the population.