Researchers from Baylor University examined how adding sleep affects daily well-being, emotional resilience, gratitude, and social behavior. The central finding was that extending sleep by an average of 46 minutes each night aligned with noticeable improvements in mood, overall happiness, and the way people treat one another. The results appeared in the Journal of Positive Psychology.
In a study of 90 teenagers, investigators divided participants into three groups representing late, early, and optimal bedtimes. Over several weeks they observed how longer sleep affected mental health, mood, energy, and physical well-being, as well as social interactions. The aim was to determine how sleep duration changes influence youths’ psychological and social functioning.
The data showed that increasing sleep by about 46 minutes per day was associated with greater stress tolerance, increased gratitude, and higher life satisfaction. Teens who reduced their sleep by approximately 37 minutes experienced worse mood, heightened reactivity to stress, and lower overall contentment.
Quality sleep also supported prosocial behavior. Participants who slept well tended to express more gratitude and treated others more positively. In a separate large study involving 2,837 adults conducted at Baylor, results indicated that people who normally slept seven to nine hours were 7 to 45 percent more likely to participate in charitable activities.
Earlier research shows that consistent, adequate sleep supports aging well, with seven to nine hours per night linked to stronger physical health, sharper cognitive function, and longevity.