Turns out that old adage about getting your beauty sleep could have some truth to it.
According to a new study, not getting enough sleep could make people see you a lot differently. (Via Health Daily)
Researchers in Sweden found puffy eyes, sagging eyelids, and dark circles under the eyes — the usual suspects of not enough sleep — can cause other people to think of your appearance differently than they would otherwise. (Via WPVI)
The study's authors wrote, "The face serves a key role in social perception, affecting people's judgments of everything from trustworthiness and aggressiveness to competence and likability in as little as 100 [milliseconds]." (Via MinnPost)
And it seems to be a growing problem — according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, almost one-third of Americans regularly don't get enough sleep.
The study’s scientists took photos of 10 people after eight hours of sleep and again after 31 hours of not sleeping at all. The researchers then showed the photos to 40 people and asked them to evaluate them based on facial cues.
The scientists reported the sleep-deprived photos were seen by participants as sadder, more fatigued, less attractive, and even less healthy. (Via KRIV)
But researchers say in some cases, looking sleep-deprived could actually be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as chronic illness or depression. The study’s authors suggest doctors should ask patients about their sleep habits to determine the cause of their sleepy looks.
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