Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Night owls have higher risk of dying sooner

People who like to stay up late and have trouble getting up in the morning, popularly known as night owls, have a higher risk of dying sooner than those who go to bed early and rise early. A study conducted by the University of Surrey and Northwestern Medicine in Chicago found that the risk factor was as high as 10 percent.

The study analysed the sleeping habits of nearly half a million participants and found that about 50,000 people in the study sample were more likely to die in the 6½ -year period sampled.


“Night owls trying to live in a morning lark world may have health consequences for their bodies,” said co-lead author Kristen Knutson, associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

This may be the first time that a study was looking at the mortality risk associated with night owls. Previous studies focused on the higher rates of metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.

“This is a public health issue that can no longer be ignored,” said Malcolm von Schantz, Professor of Chronobiology at the University of Surrey. “We should discuss allowing evening types to start and finish work later, where practical. And we need more research about how we can help evening types cope with the higher effort of keeping their body clock in synchrony with sun time.”

“It could be that people who are up late have an internal biological clock that doesn’t match their external environment,” Knutson said. “It could be psychological stress, eating at the wrong time for their body, not exercising enough, not sleeping enough, being awake at night by yourself, maybe drug or alcohol use. There are a whole variety of unhealthy behaviours related to being up late in the dark by yourself.”

Incidentally, night owls had higher rates of diabetes, psychological disorders and neurological disorders.

Genetics and environment are crucial in deciding whether we are a morning or a night person, but an individual might have some control in transforming from a night owl to a lark.

“You’re not doomed,” Knutson said. “Part of it you don’t have any control over and part of it you might.”

There are certain things one can do to shift behavior. Ensure you are exposed to light early in the morning amd try to keep a regular bedtime. Adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and accept the fact that sleep times matter.

“If we can recognize these chronotypes are, in part, genetically determined and not just a character flaw, jobs and work hours could have more flexibility for owls,” Knutson said. “They shouldn’t be forced to get up for an 8 a.m. shift. Make work shifts match peoples’ chronotypes. Some people may be better suited to night shifts.”

Knutson and colleagues’ future research will focus on trying to get owls to shift their body clocks. “Then we’ll see if we get improvements in blood pressure and overall health,” she said.

Daylight savings are much more difficult for night owls and according to von Schantz there are already reports of higher incidence of heart attacks following the switch to summer time.

"And we have to remember that even a small additional risk is multiplied by more than 1.3 billion people who experience this shift every year. I think we need to seriously consider whether the suggested benefits outweigh these risks."

More For You

Hulk Hogan

Hogan’s current hospital stay follows a neck fusion surgery he underwent in May 2025

Getty Images

Hulk Hogan hospitalised for back and neck issues, rep confirms he is not on deathbed

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has been hospitalised for ongoing neck and back issues, but representatives have confirmed he is not in critical condition, dismissing online speculation suggesting otherwise.

The 71-year-old wrestling icon, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was reported by TMZ Sports to be undergoing treatment related to injuries sustained during his decades-long in-ring career. His representative said Hogan is already mobile again and “not on his deathbed”, following false claims made on air by Florida radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wincey Willis

Willis quickly became a standout figure

Getty Images

Wincey Willis, pioneering TV-am ‘weather girl’ who reshaped breakfast TV, dies at 76

Wincey Willis, a well-known face on British television during the 1980s and a pioneer of breakfast TV presenting, has died aged 76. Her death occurred on 19 December 2024, but was only recently announced.

Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead on 8 August 1948, she became widely recognised during her time on Good Morning Britain, the flagship programme of ITV’s TV-am. With her vibrant personality, distinctive mullet hairstyle, and energetic presence, she played a pivotal role in helping revive the struggling breakfast channel in the early 1980s.

Keep ReadingShow less
Big Arch burger

McDonald’s introduces the Big Arch burger in the UK

MEN

McDonald’s brings 'iconic' Big Arch burger to UK, fans delighted about 'surprises'

McDonald’s has added a new item to its UK menu – the Big Arch burger. Described by the company as a “new icon,” the burger was unveiled through McDonald’s UK’s official Instagram page as part of a limited-time promotional menu.

The Big Arch includes two beef patties, slices of white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, shredded lettuce, crunchy pickles, and a newly formulated signature sauce. It is served in a soft bun scattered with poppy seeds, a departure from the sesame-seed buns typically used in McDonald’s burgers.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave health risks

Several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed

iStock

7 hidden heatwave health risks you may overlook

As temperatures across the UK continue to rise, so too do the health risks associated with extreme heat. While sunburn and dehydration are well-known dangers, several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of hot spells, some forecasts suggesting 40 °C days could become a regular feature in the next 12 years, it’s essential to understand these lesser-known risks and how to protect yourself.

1. Skin reactions triggered by common medications

Certain widely-used medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight, making people more prone to rashes, blistering, and sunburn—even on cloudy days. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, some antibiotics such as doxycycline, statins, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Keep ReadingShow less
Anne Burrell Dies at 55: A Fiery Icon of Culinary Television

She remained a central figure on the network, co-hosting the long-running 'Worst Cooks in America'

Getty Images

Celebrity chef Anne Burrell dies aged 55, remembered for fiery spirit and TV legacy

Chef and television personality Anne Burrell, best known for her work on Food Network, has died at the age of 55. Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. No cause of death was given.

Burrell gained widespread recognition for her energetic television presence, signature blonde hair and bold culinary style. Over the years, she became a household name in American food media, with a career spanning restaurants, television, and publishing.

Keep ReadingShow less