One in four Brits will snap at someone at work today because of a poor night’s sleep, a new study reveals.
Tired Brits are making mistakes at work, being rude to colleagues or finding themselves saying inappropriate things to those in the office due to sleep deprivation.
Every day, more than a quarter have an accident as a result of a poor night’s sleep – with walking into doors or tripping over in the street the most common blunders.
The research, commissioned by Sleeping Duck, found more than half of the 2,000 studied (53 per cent) regularly wake up in a bad mood most mornings and firmly insist they are not ‘morning people’.
And, worryingly, three in ten Brits claim they never get a good night’s sleep at all.
The main reasons for the lack of sleep is going to bed too late (43 per cent), followed by feelings of anger or stress late at night (41 per cent) and a partner sleeping badly causing disruptions (32 per cent).
The average Brit also has six days a month where they describe themselves as ‘off the ball’ because of poor sleep- equating to 72 days a year where they aren’t firing on all cylinders.
A spokesman for Sleeping Duck said: “We all know that a bad night’s sleep can lead to a less than productive day but the results show just how often tiredness takes toll on our everyday life.
“From being a bit sharper tongued with those around us to regularly dropping the ball or even having physical accidents, a lot can go wrong when our quality of sleep suffers.
“Focus on getting a restful night’s sleep. From the quality and comfort of your mattress to ensuring you maintain a regular sleep-wake schedule can set you up well for the next day and aid in avoiding the potential embarrassments and pitfalls of being off your game.”
Despite women getting the most sleep, they are also the more likely to press the snooze button and over a third is regularly disrupted by their partner waking them up – causing them to be grumpy during their morning commute.
Men have less sleep each night, but are more likely to jump out of bed in the morning with a happier outlook on the day.
And the link between mood and sleep was clear whilst six in ten Brits said a bad night’s sleep leads to them having a much more negative outlook on life.
Those who have had a great night sleep showed higher signs of being more generous and sociable –well rested people proved more likely to offer help if it was needed or start conversations with a fellow commuter.
Wrexham emerged as the area getting the most sleep in the country- with people there averaging more than seven hours per night. Wrexham also polled as being the friendliest city in the UK and are most likely to others from carrying shopping bags, giving up a seat or say hello.
While people in Coventry are the worst off when it comes to sweet dreams, managing just under six hours in total. Coventry commuters also admit to not having patience with fellow travellers.
Those in London are by far the most likely to barge through crowds or slow walkers if irritable after not enough kip, while those in the South East are the most likely to experience a bit of road rage.
Dr Simon Moore chartered psychologist and media spokesperson with the British psychological society said: “We know from psychological research on sleep quality and patterns that if people do not get sufficient REM stage sleep (rapid eye movement) which is the last stage and deepest level of a 90 minute sleep cycle they subsequently make poorer decisions, communicate less effectively and deal with stress less well.”
BRITS MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS AFTER A BAD NIGHT’S SLEEP
1. Not being able to concentrate
2. Moving slowly
3. Lack of patience
4. Easily annoyed
5. Forgetful
6. Likely to eat junk food
7. Avoid conversation
8. Likely to snap at comments
9. Will not give up a seat on the commute
10. Unlikely to help others
THE 5 PLACES GETTING THE MOST SLEEP AND THE PERKS THEY GET
1. Wrexham: 7 hour 4 minutes: Most likely to hold a door open for someone
2. Aberdeen: 6 hours 47 minutes: most likely to start a conversation with someone
3. Brighton and Hove: 6 hours 41 minutes: Happiest to greet a stranger in the street
4. Portsmouth: 6 hours 37 minutes: Most patient with other drivers on the road
5. Sheffield: 6 hours 35 minutes: Happiest to give up their seat for someone else
THE 5 PLACES GETTING THE LEAST SLEEP AND THE DOWNSIDES
1. Coventry: 5 hours 59 minutes: Suffer most at being disinterested in conversation
2. Belfast: 6 hours 2 minutes: Least likely to give up a seat on a bus
3. Cambridge: 6 hours 4 minutes: Least patient drivers
4. York: 6 hours 7 minutes: Most forgetful
5. Birmingham: 6 hours 8 minutes: Most likely to barge through crowds
ENDS
