Are Early Birds Happiest?

Older adults who consistently get up early and stay active throughout the day are happier and perform better on cognitive tests than those with irregular activity patterns, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. 

The researchers studied 1,800 adults ages 65 years or older and identified four subgroups of activity patterns: earlier rising/robust, shorter activity duration/less modelable, shorter active periods/very weak, and later activity offset/very weak.

Both groups with weak rhythms had twofold odds of clinically significant depression symptoms and cognitive performance deficits.

As we age, disruption in activity patterns may be common. More research is needed into why earlier and robust patterns appear to be protective, and whether modifying disrupted patterns improves health outcomes.