Wellness Sleep

Study: Happiness Is Tied to Sleep

A bad night of sleep makes you irritable, cranky, and short-tempered. We all know this. But, a new study shows that lack of sleep actually takes joy out of your life.

Lack of sleep and happiness

When a person doesn’t get enough sleep, things that should bring them joy – like spending time with their kids or taking a stroll through a park – become chores rather than pleasures.

“Even minor night-to-night fluctuations in sleep duration can have consequences in how people respond to events in their daily lives,” said psychologist Nancy Sin from The University of British Columbia.

“When people experience something positive, such as getting a hug or spending time in nature, they typically feel happier that day, but we found that when a person sleeps less than their usual amount, they don’t have as much of a boost in positive emotions from their positive events.”

The results are fairly straightforward. You need sleep to enjoy life.

Lack of sleep is rampant

Before a worldwide pandemic become a reality, reports suggested that Americans weren’t getting enough sleep. Up to 33% of adults report sleeping less than the recommended 7-9 hours each night.

There’s a long list of reasons why people aren’t getting enough sleep. From chronic health conditions and pandemic-induced stress to travel and shift work, there’s a host of problems that keep people up at night.

Tips to prioritize sleep

If you’re one of the many people who aren’t getting enough sleep, it’s time to make some changes. It’s time to prioritize sleep. While that sounds fairly easy, for most people, it’s not. Still, here’s a list of things to try to improve your quality of sleep:

  • Go to bed at the same time
  • Exercise during the day to make sure your body is tired
  • Limit screen time before bed
  • Try melatonin to help relax your body
  • Talk with your doctor if the problem persists
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