Study finds optimistic people sleep better

Scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that the quality of sleep directly depends on the internal mood, Science Daily reported. 

The study involved more than 3,500 people aged 32 years to 51 years.

“Results from this study revealed significant associations between optimism and various characteristics of self-reported sleep after adjusting for a wide array of variables, including socio-demographic characteristics, health conditions and depressive symptoms. Participants’ levels of optimism were measured using a 10-item survey, which asked them to rate on a five-point scale how much they agreed with positive statements such as "I'm always optimistic about my future" and with negatively worded sentences such as "I hardly expect things to go my way,” said Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois, who led the study.

According to the professor, participants reported on their sleep twice, five years apart, rating their overall sleep quality and duration during the prior month. The survey also assessed their symptoms of insomnia, difficulty falling asleep and the number of hours of actual sleep they obtained each night.

It turned out that individuals with greater levels of optimism were more likely to report that they got adequate sleep, slumbering six to nine hours nightly. And they were 74% more likely to have no symptoms of insomnia and reported less daytime sleepiness.

Experts do not exclude that a positive attitude helps to deal with stress, thereby minimizing anxiety and negative thoughts before bedtime.

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