Sleep deprived? Watch out for a bad day or year

Have you noticed that after a few nights of tossing and turning, your days seem more difficult? Your team members aren't efficient, your boss isn't complimentary, and clients aren't eager to comply. If you think it's all in your head, you're probably right. A new study from Finland concludes that poor sleep quality likely leads to long-term dissatisfaction with life.

Researchers surveyed more than 18,000 same-sex twins in 1975 and again in 1981. They found that the participants who reported life dissatisfaction in 1975, and whose sleep quality didn't deteriorate, were likely to be dissatisfied in 1981. But the participants who reported they slept poorly in 1975 were 2.4 times more likely to be dissatisfied in 1981. This suggests that while life dissatisfaction is an inheritable trait, sleeping badly in and of itself negatively affects one's outlook over time.

Unfortunately, the study doesn't prove that getting a full night's sleep positively impacts your mood. But it's worth a try. Nap anyone?