A comprehensive study by the American Psychological Association has revealed that sleep deprivation goes beyond causing sleepiness, adversely affecting emotional well-being. Synthesizing over 50 years of research on sleep deprivation and mood, the study indicates that it hinders emotional functioning, diminishes positive emotions, and elevates the risk of anxiety symptoms.
Lead author Cara Palmer, PhD, of Montana State University, highlighted the significance of understanding the impact of sleep loss on emotion in today’s sleep-deprived society. The study, published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, analyzed data from 154 studies spanning five decades and 5,715 participants.
The research disrupted participants’ sleep in various ways, finding that all types of sleep loss, even short durations, resulted in fewer positive emotions and increased anxiety symptoms. The study emphasizes the considerable implications for individual and public health, especially in professions prone to sleep loss, such as first responders, pilots, and truck drivers. Developing policies that prioritize sleep is crucial to mitigating risks to daytime function and well-being in a largely sleep-deprived society.
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