Lack of sleep affects memory, immunity, productivity and mood. And it can cause depression. But have you ever considered that sleep deprivation might also make you selfish? Some studies suggest it does.
Research published in PLOS Biology found that sleep deprivation directly influences behavior, making people less inclined to help others. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that losing just one hour of sleep negatively impacts generosity and empathy.
To support this claim, researchers analyzed 30 million donations between 2001 and 2016. They found that when daylight saving time began, people’s willingness to donate decreased by 10%. However, in regions where clocks remained unchanged, donations stayed constant.
This raises an intriguing question: Does better sleep make us more generous?
If sleep affects social behaviors so profoundly, perhaps prioritizing rest can foster a more compassionate society. Next time you consider skipping sleep, remember it might not just affect you, but those around you too.
So, if someone asks why you overslept, tell them you’re optimizing your compassion and making the world a kinder place, one nap at a time.
Wow, I never thought lack of sleep could make us less kind. This really makes me want to take better care of my sleep indeed.