Being a night owl can do more than make you drowsy in the morning. It can also increase your risk of dying, recent research shows.

People who burn the midnight oil have a 10 percent higher risk of dying than those who go to bed early and get up at sunrise, British and U.S. researchers found. The study was based on about a half-million people enrolled in the United Kingdom Biobank Study. In the study, they found 50,000 people who had identified as all-nighters died during the nearly seven-year period sampled than early risers. The scientists adjusted for health problems in the night owls and still found the 10 percent higher risk of death.

The late-nighters also included higher rates of psychological problems, neurological disorders and diabetes. Researchers said night owls might not be exercising enough, might eat at unusual times and have psychological stress, or might simply be lonely at night.

The good news? These folks aren’t doomed to more disease and an earlier death. The researchers’ previous work found genetics and environment play about equal roles in whether someone is a morning person or a night person. For those looking to drop their late-night habit, they suggest establishing and keeping a regular bedtime … and get things done earlier in the day rather than leaving them until the night hours.

The teams pointed out this is a growing public health concern as more people are working different hours in this global economy. The takeaway message, researchers say, is that keeping late hours may have health consequences. Night owls who don’t give a hoot about their bedtime may be putting themselves at risk.