- LONDON (Reuters) - Early
risers may catch the proverbial worm but they are also likely to be more
stressed than those who sleep late, according to New Scientist magazine.
-
- Researchers at the University of Westminster in London
have discovered that people who get up early have higher levels of cortisol,
the body's main stress hormone. The levels also remained high all day,
the weekly said.
-
- Angel Clow and her colleagues compared the waking time
of 42 volunteers and the levels of cortisol in samples of their saliva
taken throughout the day.
-
- ``Analysis of the saliva from the half who work earlier
-- before 7.21 a.m. -- showed they had higher levels of cortisol,'' the
magazine said.
-
- The researchers, who said the number of hours asleep
could not account for the difference, are hoping to discover if the high
cortisol levels caused the people to wake earlier or if the hormone levels
were caused by the early start.
-
- ``Chronic stress is associated with depression and suppressed
immunity. In a 10-week follow-up study, Clow found that early risers reported
more muscle aches, cold symptoms and headaches -- and significantly worse
moods,'' the magazine added.
|
