Researchers from the University of Southampton conducted a study analyzing 12 studies involving over 235,000 teenagers aged 12-18, finding a small link between "social jet lag" - the disruption caused by inconsistent sleep schedules - and increased anxiety. According to Dr Sarah Chellappa, the body's internal clock shifts back during puberty, making it natural for teenagers to want later bedtimes, but demands on their time can rob them of sleep, worsening social jet lag. The study suggests that maintaining regular bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, even at weekends, could help alleviate anxiety in teens. A separate report by Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza found that over 1 million children in England were referred for mental health treatment due to anxiety.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-31,
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Story summary
Teenagers who experience "social jet lag" due to inconsistent sleep schedules are more likely to have anxiety problems. According to a study published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, teenagers often stay up late on weekends and then wake up early for school, causing a disruption similar to jet lag. Researchers from the University of Southampton analyzed 12 studies involving over 235,000 youngsters aged 12-18, finding a small but significant link between social jet lag and anxiety levels. The study suggests that teenagers would benefit from regular bedtimes even on weekends, and that secondary schools should reconsider their start times to accommodate sleep routines.
Written for “Teen Mental Health Struggles” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 3319 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-31
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It's a phenomenon anyone with a teenager trying to get their child to school on time on a Monday will be wearily familiar with.
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anyone → see → Monday
But it may take a lot to sympathise with youngsters when they complain of 'social jet lag' – the idea that getting up early for classes after staying up late and lying in at the weekend makes them anxious.
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them → take → weekend
A study suggests the change in schedules dictated by school, work or free-time creates a similar effect to jet-lag and may lead to poorer mental health.
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change → suggest → health
Researchers say teenagers would benefit from regular bedtimes, even at weekends, and secondary schools could 'reconsider start times' to better accommodate sleep routines.
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schools → say → routines
The University of Southampton study, published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, explored the relationship between the so-called social jet-lag and anxiety in youngsters aged 12 to 18.
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study → publish → youngsters
The team analysed 12 studies, involving more than 235,000 youngsters, and a further six in a narrative review.
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team → analyse → review
They found a small link between teenagers experiencing greater levels of social jet-lag and higher levels of anxiety.
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They → find → anxiety
Researchers said that although this 'appears as a potentially small effect, it is unlikely to be due to chance and it is evident across studies'.
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it → say → studies
Dr Sarah Chellappa, of Southampton University, said: 'During puberty, the body's internal clock usually shifts back by a few hours, meaning teenagers naturally don't start feeling sleepy until later and would ideally wake up later, too.
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teenagers → say → hours
Teenagers experiencing 'social jet lag' due to early starts on school days and lie ins on weekends may suffer from increased anxiety, a study has suggested (picture posed by model)
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picture → experience → model
But teenagers also face demands on their time, from early school starts to socialising online, which can rob them of sleep – especially during the week.
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which → face → week
'Many teenagers 'lie in' on the weekends to catch up on missed sleep, but this mismatch between weekday and weekend sleep schedules can worsen social jet lag'.
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mismatch → lie → lag
A report published by Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza in June found more than a million children in England were referred for, or are awaiting treatment, from mental health services – the equivalent of one in ten.
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children → publish → ten
Data obtained by her office suggested the top reason for referrals was anxiety.
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reason → obtain → referrals
Dr Hannah Ravenhall, lead author of the paper, said: 'The findings highlight the importance of maintaining regular bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, even at weekends.
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findings → say → weekends
'This starts with acknowledging the biological sleep changes that occur in adolescence, advocating for their sleep needs and reconsidering secondary school start times to support young people's wellbeing.'
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that → start → wellbeing
