Anxiety is often treated as a daytime problem, but new research suggests its roots may lie in what happens overnight. Scientists are beginning to uncover how specific biological processes during sleep play a critical role in regulating emotional balance, especially as people age.
In a recent study of older adults, researchers found that those who produced fewer deep brain waves during the night woke up feeling more anxious the next morning. This form of deep sleep appears to act as a kind of emotional reset, helping the brain recover from stress. When that process is disrupted, anxiety may carry over instead of resolving overnight.
The findings challenge the idea that anxiety in aging is simply unavoidable. Instead, they point to a modifiable factor that may influence emotional health over time. Researchers also observed that declines in this type of sleep tracked with increased anxiety over several years, suggesting that protecting sleep quality may be a key strategy for maintaining mental resilience as the brain ages.
SOURCE:
News Medical, April 27, 2026