The Relationship Between Sleep and Kindness

New research suggests that a poor night's sleep can have far-reaching implications for our social behavior. When we wake up feeling irritable and foggy due to lack of rest, our inclination to assist others diminishes. This study indicates that insufficient sleep can alter the dynamics of social networks, impacting relationships and community cohesion.

Many studies have established that one night of inadequate sleep leads to feelings of drowsiness, irritability, heightened stress, and overall poorer health. Furthermore, research has shown that insufficient sleep hampers our emotional processing and reduces our capacity for empathy—an essential component of compassion that drives us to help others. This new study further explores the link between sleep quality and our willingness to engage in altruistic behavior.

As Matthew Walker, PhD, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Berkeley, explains, “A lack of sleep not only affects individual health but also deteriorates social connections and undermines the fabric of society.”

The findings, published in the journal PLoS Biology, stem from three main areas of investigation: two smaller experiments and a broader societal observation.

1. The researchers tracked sleep duration and quality among over 100 participants for several nights, correlating this data with their willingness to perform simple acts of kindness, such as volunteering. “A decline in sleep quality from one night to the next predicted a significant decrease in the desire to help others the following day,” stated Eti Ben Simon, PhD, a UC Berkeley sleep neuroscience researcher.
2. Brain scans conducted on 24 healthy participants demonstrated decreased activity in brain regions associated with empathy after a night of poor sleep, compared to scans following a restful night. Ben Simon noted, “When we think about others, this network is activated, enabling us to understand their needs and feelings. However, this network was significantly impaired during sleep deprivation, indicating that our ability to connect with others suffers.”
3. An analysis of 3 million charitable donations in the U.S. from 2001 to 2016 revealed a 10% drop in giving during the week following the shift to Daylight Saving Time, which results in one less hour of sleep. This decline was not observed in states that do not adjust their clocks. Walker remarked, “Even a minor loss of sleep, such as one hour, has a measurable impact on generosity and social connectivity.”

A previous study from 2018 by the same team found that individuals who missed a night of sleep tended to maintain greater physical distance from others the following day, feeling lonelier and less inclined to engage socially.

While there is no definitive answer for the ideal amount of sleep, most experts concur that adults typically require around seven hours or more. Individual needs may vary based on genetics and other factors.

Symptoms of insufficient sleep can be quite evident, ranging from waking up unrefreshed to experiencing afternoon fatigue. Moreover, disrupted sleep can create a cycle of deteriorating physical and mental health, making it increasingly challenging to achieve restorative rest.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that the ramifications of a poor night's sleep extend beyond individual challenges, influencing broader social interactions and community dynamics.

“Sleep serves as a vital facilitator for prosocial, connected, and generous human behavior,” Walker stated. “It may be the key ingredient that fosters a readiness to help one another.”

This realization highlights the importance of prioritizing sleep for the betterment of both individual well-being and social harmony.

Chapter 2: Exploring Generosity Through Sleep

In the video "How Can I Be Generous? | The Paradox of Generosity, Part 3," explore the complexities of generosity and how our actions can be influenced by our mental state and well-being.

The video "More than Enough: Our Generous God" delves into the spiritual aspects of generosity, offering insights into how kindness can be cultivated in our daily lives.