Impact of Chronotype on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and psychological Well-Being among Competitive Yoga Performers

Background: Chronotype, reflecting an individual’s circadian preference, plays a crucial role in psychological functioning and performance. In yoga, where mind–body synchronization is fundamental, alignment between biological rhythms and practice timing may significantly influence mental health outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to examine the distribution of chronotypes among competitive yoga performers and investigate their association with stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological well-being. Methods: A total of 45 competitive yoga performers (aged 19–25 years) with at least four years of training experience were selected using purposive sampling. Participants were categorized into morning, intermediate, and evening chronotypes (n = 15 each) using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). Mental health variables were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress (DASS-21) and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Results: Significant differences were observed across all psychological variables among chronotype groups. Morning-type yoga performers demonstrated superior psychological well-being, whereas evening types exhibited significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Intermediate types showed moderate outcomes but were consistently less favourable than morning types. Post hoc analysis indicated that differences between morning and evening groups were the most substantial, reflecting a clear association between circadian preference and mental health status. Conclusion: The findings indicate a distinct morning advantage in competitive yoga performers, where circadian alignment with early practice enhances psychological well-being. Conversely, evening chronotypes are more susceptible to psychological stress, potentially due to circadian misalignment or social jetlag. These results emphasize the importance of chronotype-based personalization of yoga training schedules to optimize mental health benefits.