Lack of Sleep Linked to Negative Thinking

Article

Reduced sleep duration is linked to more repetitive negative thinking.

Reduced sleep duration is linked to more repetitive negative thinking, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Binghamton University.

Authors Jacob A. Nota and Meredith E. Coles determined that individuals who sleep for shorter periods of time and go to bed very late at night may be naturally pessimistic.

"Making sure that sleep is obtained during the right time of day may be an inexpensive and easily disseminable intervention for individuals who are bothered by intrusive thoughts," Nota stated in a press release.

For the study, 100 young adults at Binghamton University were asked to complete questionnaires and conduct 2 computerized tasks, during which they were analyzed for their repetitive negative thinking and anxiousness. Based on the results, Nota and Coles were able to establish a link between a lack of sleep and feeling overwhelmed with negative thoughts.

The authors noted that their study might pave the way for further research that examines a potential link between sleeping disorders and intrusive thoughts, which are typically associated with anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"If further findings support the relation between sleep timing and repetitive negative thinking, this could one day lead to a new avenue for treatment of individuals with internalizing disorders," said Coles. "Studying the relation between reductions in sleep duration and psychopathology has already demonstrated that focusing on sleep in the clinic also leads to reductions in symptoms of psychopathology."

The current findings were published on December 4, 2014, in Cognitive Therapy and Research.

Related Videos
Laboratory test tubes and solution with stethoscope background | Image Credit: Shutter2U - stock.adobe.com
Image credit: Andrea Izzotti
Human brain digital illustration. Electrical activity, flashes, and lightning on a blue background. | Image Credit: Siarhei - stock.adobe.com
Inflation Reduction Act is shown using the text and the US flag - Image credit: Andrii | stock.adobe.com
Pharmacy Interior | Image Credit: Tyler Olson - stock.adobe.com
Male pharmacist selling medications at drugstore to a senior woman customer | Image Credit: Zamrznuti tonovi - stock.adobe.com
Pharmacist assists senior woman in buying medicine in pharmacy - Image credit: Drazen | stock.adobe.com
Pharmacy, medicine and senior woman consulting pharmacist on prescription. Healthcare, shopping and elderly female in consultation with medical worker for medication box, pills or product in store - Image credit: C Daniels/peopleimages.com | stock.adobe.com
Image credit: fidaolga - stock.adobe.com
Pharmacists checking inventory at hospital pharmacy- Image credit: Jacob Lund | stock.adobe.com
© 2023 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.