THE SLEEP-STRESS CONNECTION
A reason to avoid all-nighters at all costs: Just one sleepless evening can sap emotional well-being. A UC Berkeley study found that 30 percent of sleepdeprived people suffered anxiety the next day, and half of them had distress levels akin to people with anxiety disorders. Even minor disruptions in sleep—a 2 a.m. car alarm—can harm how centered you feel, since sleep may mediate the fight-or-flight response. Take no chances: Sleep with earplugs in a totally dark bedroom.