What Happens When We Don’t Sleep Well?
Imagine a world where people can’t empathize with each other. Officially, it’s not dystopia, but the reality brought by poor sleep! A new study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology reveals that quality sleep is not a luxury but the key to our empathy and social relationships.
Empathy Tested by Sleep
Research coordinated by Aleks Gileleshilel from the Hebrew University Medical Faculty in Jerusalem showed that people with poor sleep become more irritable and less willing to understand others. Experimentally, it was proven that interrupted sleep throughout the night directly reduces empathy. So, if you thought irritability was just a sign of a bad day, you’re wrong – it’s a sign that your REM sleep phase didn’t do its job!
REM Sleep Phase – The Secret Hero of Emotions
REM sleep phase is like a night therapist processing our emotional experiences from the previous day. Short sleep can erase negative emotions and create positive reactions, while selective suppression of REM sleep intensifies negative emotions the next day. It sounds like our brain sends SOS signals every time we skip good sleep.
Insomnia as an Epidemic
Estimates say that between 15 and 20 percent of adults suffer from insomnia. This is not just a fatigue problem – prolonged sleep issues increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, depression, and cognitive decline. Poor sleep is a serious threat to our health.
How to Survive in a World Without Sleep?
Researchers emphasize that besides sleep quality, its duration is also important. Also, strengthening cognitive flexibility can help better manage stress and maintain empathy. In short, if you want to stay sane and not be avoided by people, start sleeping like your life depends on it – because it actually does.
Conclusion
Next time you think about skipping sleep for work, fun, or scrolling your phone, remember you’re destroying not only your health but also your ability to be a good friend, partner, or colleague. Poor sleep is a silent epidemic turning us into irritable, unempathetic robots. And who wants to live in such a world?
Now, if you managed to read this without yawning, maybe you did sleep enough! Or you’re just super brave. Drop a comment about how many hours you sleep and if you’ve noticed poor sleep ruining your relationships. Maybe together we can find a cure for this nightmare!
Source: International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Corriere newspaper
