Angry? Get some rest - Lifelines - Brief Article

Vibrant Life, March-April, 2003

Do you find yourself snapping at people everywhere--on the road, at stores, in your home? It could be that you're not getting enough sleep. More than 47 million Americans don't get the minimum amount of sleep they need to be alert the next day. And now comes research that links sleep deprivation and mood problems. A new survey shows:

* Those who get less than six hours of sleep on weekdays are more likely to describe themselves as stressed, sad, and angry.

* People who report being sleepy during the day are likely to describe themselves as dissatisfied with life.

* Those who don't get enough sleep are more likely to get impatient or aggravated with common daily occurrences, such as waiting in line or sitting in traffic.

(National Sleep Foundation)