new Research Identifies Five Distinct Sleep “Chronotypes“โ linked to Health Outcomes
london, UK – October 11,โ 2025, 08:15 GMT โค- A groundbreakingโ study published today in Sleep Medicine Reviews has identified five major sleep patterns, orโ “chronotypes,” and revealedโฃ significant correlationsโข between these patterns and various health indicators. Researchers at theโ Universityโ of surrey,analyzing data from โover 1,400โ participants,have moved beyond the conventional “morningโฃ lark” versus “night owl” dichotomy,offering a more nuanced understanding of how ourโฃ natural โsleep inclinations impact well-being. the findings could revolutionize โขpersonalizedโข health recommendations, from optimal exerciseโค timing to dietary adjustments, โand โperhapsโข mitigate risks associated with chronic diseases.
The study categorizes sleepers into fiveโ chronotypes: “Early Birds” who wakeโค and โsleepโฃ early; “Night Owls” with late bedtimes and wake-up times; “Intermediate” โindividuals falling between the two extremes; โฃ”Daytime Sleepers” who prefer โขto sleep โduring the day; and a newly identified group, “nappers,” characterized by frequent, shorter sleep periods โthroughout the day. Researchers found that each chronotype exhibited distinct physiological โand behavioralโ traits, including โvariations in hormone โฃlevels, metabolic rates, and susceptibilityโฃ to conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. Understandingโ yourโฃ chronotype, expertsโ say,โ is the first step toward aligning your lifestyle with your body’s natural rhythms โคfor โฃimproved health.
The โคresearch, led by Dr. Jo โLoake, involved participants completing detailedโ sleepโ diaries andโ undergoing physiological monitoring. “We’veโค shown that sleep isn’t just about โquantity,but when you โขsleep,” explained Dr. Loake. โ”These chronotypesโข are deeply โคingrained and influenced byโ both genetics and environmental factors. Ignoring your natural sleep โinclination can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and a cascade of negative health consequences.”
Specifically, the study revealed that “Night Owls” โwereโค more likely to experience higher levels of inflammation and poorer cardiovascular health, while “Early Birds” demonstrated greater psychological well-being. “Daytimeโ Sleepers” showed a โhigher prevalenceโ of metabolic syndrome,โ and the “Nappers” group, โขthoughโฃ not necessarily unhealthy, exhibited unique hormonal profiles. The “Intermediate” group represented the largest proportion of participants โandโ generally displayed moreโ flexible healthโ markers.
researchersโค emphasize thatโ attempting โto forceโ oneself into a chronotype that doesn’t alignโ with their natural predisposition โcan be detrimental. Instead, they โadvocate forโค tailoringโข daily routines -โข including meal times, exercise schedules, and work hours – to accommodate individual sleep โpatterns. Further research isโ planned to investigate the long-termโ health implications of each chronotype and โto develop targeted โขinterventions for individuals struggling โขwith sleep-related health issues.The team hopes their work willโค encourage a โshift towards a more personalized approach to health and wellness, recognizingโ that oneโ size doesโ not fit all when โit comes to sleep.
