Sleep deprivation can leave couples “too tired to say thanks” and can make one partner feel taken for granted, according to a new study from the University of California, Berkeley.
The study examined how sleep habits impact gratitude and found that poor sleepers had a harder time counting their blessings and valuing their partners.
More than 60 couples ages 18 to 56 participated in the study, which concluded that those who had slept badly the night before showed less appreciation for their partner.
“Poor sleep may make us more selfish as we prioritize our own needs over our partner’s,” said psychologist Amie Gordon, the lead investigator of the study.
The results revealed that a bad night’s sleep can leave people less attuned to their partner’s moods and sensitivities.
“You may have slept like a baby, but if your partner didn’t, you’ll probably both end up grouchy,” Gordon said. “Make sure to say to say ‘thanks’ when your partner does something nice. Let them know you appreciate them.”
