Why Do You Feel More Depressed at Night? 6 Surprising Reasons Revealed

Have you ever experienced sad moments, particularly when you're about to sleep? Do you tend to feel more depressed during the night? This can be explained by a mood disorder called nighttime depression.

With that said, here are six reasons why you feel more depressed at night:

One: You Feel Lonelier at Night

Do you live by yourself? Like me, do those winding down moments at the end of the day bring you a feeling of loneliness? If you live alone, there may be fewer distractions to keep you from ruminating on negative thoughts. Especially at night, with the lack of interaction or companionship, thoughts of loneliness or isolation may kick in and make you feel worse.

Two: You Ruminate More Before Bed

Do you stay up thinking about your past mistakes? Are you kept awake by what could have happened if you had made different choices? One of the main reasons we remain awake is negative thinking. While reflection is a great way to evaluate yourself and become a better person, excessive rumination may lead to anxiety or depression.

Three: There's Too Much Light in Your Room

Do you sleep with the lights on? Is there a gap in the curtains that allows light to sneak in, or is light shining in from outside your door? According to studies by the American Journal of Epidemiology, light can disrupt your sleep cycle, causing symptoms of nighttime depression. It's important to maintain a dark environment so that your brain can adapt to the resting process.

Four: Your Circadian Rhythm is Not Coordinated

Have you ever experienced jetlag? This is when your circadian rhythm, or internal body clock, is not used to the new time zone you're in. Your circadian rhythm tells you when to stay active and when to rest. However, if it's not properly maintained due to sleeping at odd hours or jetlag, you may become prone to developing symptoms of nighttime depression.

Five: You Work or Study at Night

Does your job require you to work at night, or do you go to night school? When you work or study at night, you may end up sleeping at odd hours or only getting rest in the morning. Since you can't sleep at night and daylight can interrupt your sleep cycle, you may find yourself having trouble sleeping over time. This may increase your chances of unwanted exhaustion and nighttime depression symptoms.

Six: Your Chronotype is Disoriented

Do you feel more awake at night or very sleepy during the day? Chronotype refers to the signal in your body that tells you the appropriate sleeping time. If you sleep when you're not sleepy and stay awake when you are, you may be more prone to the risk of feeling depressed over time. This habit can worsen symptoms at night, leading to difficulty in falling asleep, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and isolation.

What do you think? Have you experienced any of these factors? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!