Updated

University of Missouri researchers reported that older adults who kept consistent daily routines had less physical pain and fewer depression symptoms, even when they had insomnia. The findings were published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, and the study relied on survey data from 67 older adults, 37 of whom reported insomnia. The benefit held regardless of sleep quality, and the researchers suggested that regular times for waking, eating, working and sleeping may help synchronize the body's internal clock, which influences mood, sleep and overall health. Eunjin Tracy, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, led the analysis. ScienceDaily reported that those with insomnia generally had more pain and depression than others, but that routine was linked to better outcomes across both groups. Tracy said that consistent timing cues help keep internal body clocks aligned, and ScienceDaily noted that the study did not establish that routines directly reduce pain or depression. Tracy also pointed to social jet lag, the mismatch between weekday and weekend sleep schedules, as a disruption that consistent weekend timing may help limit.