Researchers Link Late Evenings to Repetitive Negative Thoughts

Researchers from Binghamton University have published a study in the journal Cognitive Therapy and Research analyzing the link between sleep cycles and overall negative thinking. The study surveyed 100 young adults at Binghamton University with an extensive array of questionnaires in order to determine their tendencies to obsess over negative thoughts, internally debate a topic and their general anxiety levels. These participants were then questioned about their sleeping habits, waking hours and general preferences for mornings or evenings. Researchers found that participants who engaged in sleep later than others and generally slept less reported a higher rate of negative thinking. The findings suggest that the disrupted sleep cycle may be causing instances of negative thinking during late evening hours, and that simply engaging in an earlier sleep schedule may avoid this window of increased risk for negative rumination. “Making sure that sleep is obtained during the right time of day may be an inexpensive and easily disseminable intervention for individuals who are bothered by intrusive thoughts,” explained the author. Future research will determine the exact mechanism that causes these increased negative thoughts during unrestful hours, and how treatments for various conditions could adapt to accommodate this finding. To learn more about this study, click here.