Is daily routine important for sleep? An investigation of social rhythms in a clinical insomnia population

Abstract

Social rhythms, also known as daily routines (e.g. exercise, of school or work, recreation, social activities), have been identified as potential time cues to help to regulate the biological clock. Past research has shown links between regularity and healthy sleep. This study examined the regularity and frequency of daytime activities in a clinical insomnia population and a good sleeper comparison group. Participants (N = 69) prospectively monitored their sleep and daily activities for a 2-week period. Although participants with insomnia and good sleepers had similar levels of activity, relative to good sleepers, those with insomnia were less regular in their activities. Findings from this study add to the growing number of studies that highlight the relative importance of the regularity of daytime activities on sleep. Accordingly, future research should test treatment components that focus on regulating daytime activities, which would likely improve treatment outcomes.

• Insomnia
• regularity
• routine
• sleep
• social rhythms
• SRM
• time cue
• zeitgeber

Acknowledgements

We thank all the graduate students and volunteers in the Sleep and Depression Lab at Ryerson University. This work would have not been possible without their hard work and dedication.

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest.

This research was conducted as part of the first author's doctoral dissertation, which was funded by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council, Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program. Other financial support was provided by the Ryerson Institute for Stress and Well-Being Grant and the Ryerson Health Research Fund.

Notice of Correction:

A correction has been made to the title of this article since the original online publication date of October 3, 2014.