Researchers at the University of Southampton warn that teenagers who sleep in heavily on weekends may be inadvertently raising their anxiety levels, highlighting the need for consistent sleep routines and potential changes to school start times.
Teenagers who sleep in heavily at weekends may be doing more than recovering lost rest: they could also be increasing their risk of anxiety, according to researchers at the University of Southampton. Their review suggests that a mismatch between weekday and weekend sleep patterns, often called social jet lag, is linked to worse anxiety symptoms in adolescents.
The findings come from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Sleep Medicine Reviews. Researchers examined 18 studies and included 12 in the pooled analysis, covering more than 230,000 young people. Across those studies, the association was small but consistent, with greater social jet lag linked to higher anxiety levels. The university said the pattern was observed in teenagers aged 12 to 18.
The research matters because adolescence is already a vulnerable period for mental health. Sleep timing naturally shifts later during puberty, so many teenagers do not feel sleepy as early as younger children or adults. That biological change can clash with early school start times, evening screen use and busy social lives, making it harder for young people to keep a stable routine.
The Southampton team argues that this is not simply a matter of teenagers being unmotivated or staying up too late by choice. Hannah Ravenhall, the study’s lead author, said the evidence points to a need for broader changes, including a rethink of secondary school start times. The university said even a one-hour delay to the first lesson could help reduce social jet lag and support pupils’ mental wellbeing.
For families, the practical message is straightforward: regular sleep matters. Keeping bedtimes and wake times as steady as possible through the week and the weekend may help stabilise body clocks and reduce anxiety risk. The researchers also pointed to limiting late-night screen time and avoiding large lie-ins, both of which can push sleep schedules further out of sync.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
