We all know that feeling of being totally exhausted after a night of tossing and turning. But did you know that how you handle sleep deprivation might depend on whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert?
A 2010 study published in the journal Sleep found some pretty interesting differences between these two personality types when it comes to dealing with a lack of ZZZs.
The study, titled “Socializing by Day May Affect Performance by Night: Vulnerability to Sleep Deprivation is Differentially Mediated by Social Exposure in Extraverts vs Introverts,” was conducted by researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Here’s what they discovered:
1. Extroverts who socialized struggled more
In the study, extroverts who spent 12 hours doing group activities and then were sleep deprived performed worse on reaction tests than extroverts who did similar activities alone.
Socializing seemed to make extroverts more vulnerable to the effects of sleep deprivation.
2. Introverts held up better overall
On the flip side, introverts seemed to handle sleep deprivation better in general.
They performed better on a test of wakefulness, which measures how well you can stay awake when you’re sleep deprived.
Maybe all that alone time helps them conserve energy?
3. Social stimulation might be the culprit
The researchers think that the “social stimulation” extroverts experience might tire out parts of their brains that are linked to alertness.
In other words, all that talking and interacting might be mentally draining, making it harder for extroverts to stay sharp when they’re short on sleep.
4. It’s not just about personality
Of course, it’s not all about whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert.
The study also found that waking experiences and how they interact with individual characteristics play a role in how vulnerable you are to sleep loss.
So even if you’re an introvert, pulling an all-nighter after a busy day might still leave you feeling zonked.
5. The findings have real-world implications
Understanding these differences could be important for people who regularly deal with sleep deprivation, like shift workers, medical professionals, or military personnel.
If you’re an extrovert in one of these roles, you might need to be extra mindful of getting enough rest and not overtaxing yourself socially.
So there you have it, folks. The next time you’re running on empty, consider whether your personality type might be playing a role in how you’re feeling.
And if you’re an extrovert, maybe skip that post-work happy hour in favor of a good old-fashioned nap!
Do you notice a difference in how you handle sleep deprivation as an introvert or extrovert? Let me know in the comments!
I am an introvert. A lot of activity (like walking) and socialization, noise, will stimulate me, and I cannot sleep.