Struggling With Sleep? Try Being More Optimistic, Say Researchers

Are you a glass half full or glass half empty kind of thinker? The answer may affect more than just your personality. New research from the Medical University of Vienna shows us that a person's optimism or pessimism has a strong influence on how well they sleep at night.

While research has previously identified a link between optimism and health, this study was the first to find a connection between positive thoughts and sleeping patterns. "Other studies have shown that optimists take more exercise, smoke less and eat a healthier diet," Jakob Weitzer, the study's head researcher, explains. "On top of that, they have better strategies for coping with problems and experience less stress in challenging situations. All these factors could contribute to better quality sleep." 

This research seems great for those of us with optimistic tendencies, but what can you do if you naturally fall more on the pessimistic side? According to the Weitzer's team, it is possible for a person to train themselves to be more optimistic. Weitzer suggests the Best Possible Self1 method as one way of doing so: "This involves trying to imagine an ideal and writing down how one's best possible life could look in the future," he says. "After several weeks of regular practice, it can help to increase an individual's level of optimism."

Sleep deprivation is extremely detrimental to health, so getting in those hours is essential, especially in times of high stress. In fact, insufficient sleep has been linked to an increased risk of diseases2 like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Besides optimism, there are plenty of ways to improve sleep, from taking calming supplements to establishing nightly rituals.