Nine in 10 people suffer from ‘tangry’ behaviour – being angry due to tiredness. A poll, of 2,000 adults, revealed the signs of being tired include having a slow reaction speed, getting words muddled and putting an item of clothing on inside out.
Getting easily annoyed at others, forgetting why you walked into a room and getting the day of the week or date mixed up also featured in the Top 30 list. It emerged that when people are fatigued, they also feel angry a fifth of the time (22%).
The research was commissioned by Bensons for Beds, which has worked with sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock, to develop a ‘Sleep Calm and Carry On’ programme and help improve the nation’s sleep wellness.
Dr Sophie Bostock said: “Our sleep, wellbeing and behaviour are intimately linked. A lack of sleep can alter the emotional control centres of the brain, making us more sensitive to stress, and reducing self-control. Some people become more impulsive and aggressive. This survey is also a valuable reminder that many of us can feel like a different person when we are sleep deprived and can lash out in ways we later regret.”
The research also found three quarters of people have apologised for their ‘tangry’ behaviour – with the city with the ‘tangriest’ folk living in, or nearby, Brighton & Hove – followed by Belfast and Cardiff.
Signs of being both tired and angry include overreacting about small issues, complaining more often than usual, and being impatient. Further symptoms of someone having a ‘tangry’ episode are crying at the slightest thing (30%) and swearing under their breath about everything (30%).
More than half (51%) feel grumpy and irritable due to exhaustion and 42% admitted they have no patience. And tiredness has been to blame for rowing with a partner (30%), cancelling social plans (26%) and snapping at colleagues (14%).
A further 18% feel their whole personality changes when fatigued. As well as their mood (57%), tiredness can have an impact on concentration (50%), appetite (27%) and relationships (27%).
‘Tired’ is the top way people feel when they wake up each morning (43%), followed by only 18% feeling refreshed and 15% happy. And more than a fifth (22%) of those polled via OnePoll have even been told they look exhausted.
The typical adult only manages six and a half hours sleep each night, waking up twice, with the temperature (51%) and pain or discomfort (50%) being the cause for disruptions.
Containing six short videos, the Bensons sleep plan will help to educate people on the importance of sleep and how it impacts their mental and physical health, as well as providing tools to help Brits unwind and sleep better. Those taking part will be able to track their sleep patterns via a sleep diary to see if a lack of sleep is making them tired or angry.
Dr Bostock added: “If your friend, colleague, or partner is acting out of character, instead of reacting negatively, consider asking them how they are sleeping. Prioritising your sleep is a powerful way to improve mental health.
Our videos will help people understand the impact of sleep deprivation and some simple tools to restore healthy sleep patterns. Our goal is to help people sleep well, wake up feeling more energised, and thrive in their daily lives.”
Lisa Richards, at Bensons, which has also released a video to showcase some of the signs of ‘tangry’ behaviour, said: “Whether it’s crying at the slightest thing or swearing under your breath about everything, we are all guilty of having a ‘tangry’ episode now and again.
We hope our programme will alleviate this and help people get the best night’s sleep possible every night.”