Words Laura Potter. Photograph Kate Stone Matheson on Unsplash
A new US study has proven what we already suspected: when we lose just a couple hours of sleep at night, it makes us angrier. Previous research recognised the link but didn’t prove whether sleep loss caused anger, or anger disrupted sleep. In this study, people were split into two groups: one slept normally (for around seven hours), the other had their sleep restricted by two to four hours each night, averaging four-and-ahalf hours a night. They then had to rate different products while listening to different types of noise, designed to make the experience uncomfortable. Lo and behold, the sleep-restricted people felt substantially angrier. So to see off the red mist and feel calmer, grab an early night or long leisurely lie-in. Doctor’s orders.