Poor sleep linked to inability to focus – new study

Poor Sleep Linked to Inability to Focus – New Study

Poor sleep can have a significant impact on our daily lives, from affecting our mood and energy levels to impairing our cognitive function. A recent study has shed light on the relationship between poor sleep and the inability to focus, revealing that chronic insomnia can significantly impact our ability to concentrate.

The morning after a difficult night’s sleep, it can feel impossible to wake up. You might press the snooze button just one more time in an attempt to gain a bit more of that restorative slumber. Later that day, you might notice it’s harder to stay focused. Distractions that would normally go unnoticed – such as the phone ringing in the office next door – can more easily disrupt your concentration when you’ve slept poorly.

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Research has shown that poor sleep is linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as worsening mental health and a weaker immune system. But much less research has focused on assessing the daytime effects of poor sleep on cognitive processes, such as the ability to stay focused on a given task.

The Attention Test

In a new study, researchers investigated the effects of poor sleep on participants’ ability to focus. The study involved a group of people diagnosed with insomnia and a control group of people without sleep difficulty. The participants stayed in a sleep laboratory overnight, and in the evening, they were given an attention test.

The attention test involved focusing on a circle of letters at the center of a computer screen. Participants had to respond as quickly and accurately as possible to a target letter (X or N) while ignoring any distracting letters that appeared outside the circle. The test was designed to mirror the different levels of focus needed for different daytime tasks.

The results showed that those with insomnia found it harder to focus on the task and ignore distractions compared with those in the control group who slept well. This finding adds to previous results that found impairments to daytime functioning in those with poor and limited sleep.

Brain Processes

The researchers wanted to assess whether the lack of focus in those with insomnia might be due to a reduction in the effectiveness of the core attention mechanism – the brain process that allows us to focus on a task and ignore distractions. To test this, they used a well-established attention task that manipulated the level of challenge.

The results showed that the attention mechanism appeared to be working as it should in those with insomnia. However, those with the condition showed a higher baseline level of distractibility – the distracting letters were more intrusive to the insomnia group when they could be perceived.

It could be a compromised cognitive control mechanism – the brain process that controls what we should focus our attention on – that might be driving the effect. That is, poor sleep could be reducing our brain’s ability to correctly decide which stimuli in the environment we should be attending to, resulting in more attention being given to distractions than would otherwise be the case.

Conclusion

Poor sleep can have a significant impact on our daily lives, from affecting our mood and energy levels to impairing our cognitive function. This study highlights the importance of getting a good night’s sleep to maintain our ability to focus and concentrate. Future research will be needed to find out if treatment for insomnia helps people to better concentrate their attention.

FAQs

Q: What is chronic insomnia?
A: Chronic insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Q: What are the effects of poor sleep on cognitive function?
A: Poor sleep can impair our ability to focus, concentrate, and make decisions. It can also affect our mood, memory, and creativity.

Q: How can I improve my sleep quality?
A: Improving sleep quality can be achieved through establishing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a sleep-conducive environment, and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime.

Q: Can poor sleep increase the risk of chronic diseases?
A: Yes, poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Q: What is the attention mechanism, and how does it affect our ability to focus?
A: The attention mechanism is the brain process that allows us to focus on a task and ignore distractions. It is affected by poor sleep, which can reduce our brain’s ability to correctly decide which stimuli in the environment we should be attending to, resulting in more attention being given to distractions.