Early risers are less likely to suffer mental health problems than those who prefer to lie in, a study has found.
One of the largest pieces of research to examine the genes associated with the human body clock — known as the circadian rhythm — found significant correlations between waking early and better wellbeing.
While previous studies have suggested a link between being a morning person and better mental health, scientists speculated that this may be because early risers have more control of their schedule, allowing a greater sense of wellbeing.
However, a study by Exeter University and Massachusetts General Hospital claims that genes appear to play a far greater role.
Using data from 85,760 individuals issued with wrist-worn activity monitors, researchers established that the 5 per cent of individuals carrying the most genes associated with early rising tended to wake up 25 minutes earlier than the 5 per cent carrying the fewest.