NINE in 10 people suffer from ‘tangry’ behaviour – being angry due to tiredness.
A poll of 2,000 adults revealed the signs of being tired include having a slow reaction speed, getting words muddled and putting an item of clothing on inside out.
While getting easily annoyed at others, forgetting why you walked into a room and getting the day of the week or date mixed up also featured in the Top 30 list.
It emerged when people are fatigued, they also feel angry a fifth of the time (22%).
Unable to stop yawning topped the list of signs of tiredness, while misplacing their mobile phone and forgetting where the car is parked also featured.
The research was commissioned by Bensons for Beds which has worked with sleep expert, Dr Sophie Bostock, to develop a ‘Sleep Calm and Carry On’ programme to help improve the nation’s sleep wellness.
Dr Sophie Bostock, said: “Our sleep, wellbeing and behaviour are intimately linked.
“A lack of sleep can alter the emotional control centres of the brain, making us more sensitive to stress, and reducing self-control.
“Some people become more impulsive and aggressive.
“This survey is also a valuable reminder that many of us can feel like a different person when we are sleep deprived and can lash out in ways we later regret.”
The research also found three quarters of people have apologised for their ‘tangry’ behaviour.
With the city with the ‘tangriest’ folk living in or nearby being Brighton & Hove followed by Belfast and Cardiff.
Signs of being both tired and angry include overreacting about small issues, complaining more often than usual, and being impatient.
Further symptoms of someone having a ‘tangry’ episode are crying at the slightest thing (30%) and swearing under their breath about everything (30%).
More than half (51%) feel grumpy and irritable due to exhaustion and 42% admitted they have no patience.
And tiredness has been to blame for rowing with a partner (30%), cancelling social plans (26%) and snapping at colleagues (14%).
A further 18 per cent feel their whole personality changes when fatigued.
As well as their mood (57%), tiredness can have an impact on concentration (50%), appetite (27%) and relationships (27%).
‘Tired’ is the top way people feel when they wake up each morning (43%), followed by only 18% feeling refreshed and 15% happy.
And more than a fifth (22%) of those polled via OnePoll have even been told they look exhausted.
The typical adult only manages six and a half hours sleep each night, waking up twice, with the temperature (51%) and pain or discomfort (50%) being the cause for disruptions.
Containing six short videos, the Bensons sleep plan will help to educate people on the importance of sleep and how it impacts their mental and physical health, as well as providing tools to help Brits unwind and sleep better.
1. Can’t stop yawning
2. Struggling to concentrate
3. Getting easily annoyed at others
4. Getting a headache
5. Having slow reaction speed
6. Snapping/yelling at others for no apparent reason
7. Getting words muddled up when talking
8. Having ‘cotton wool brain’
9. Forgetting why you walked into a room
10. Not hearing your alarm go off
11. Not finding anything funny
12. Getting the day of the week / date mixed up
13. Drinking more coffee than usual
14. Having no patience for shop/café staff
15. Going the wrong way (e.g. walking or driving)
16. Blinking more than often
17. Putting cereal in the fridge and milk in the cereal cupboard
18. Calling someone the wrong name
19. Tripping over
20. Not realising the lights have changed at traffic lights
21. Misplacing my phone
22. Putting an item of clothing on inside out
23. Forgetting about a meeting e.g. social or work meeting
24. Increased appetite
25. Forgetting where you parked
26. Walking into cupboards/doors
27. Sending an email to the wrong person
28. Forgetting to turn the oven off
29. Picking up / using the wrong toiletries e.g. shampoo instead of shower gel
30. Leaving the house in slippers instead of shoes
Those taking part will be able to track their sleep patterns via a sleep diary to see if a lack of sleep is making them tired or angry.
Dr Bostock added: “If your friend, colleague, or partner is acting out of character, instead of reacting negatively, consider asking them how they are sleeping.
“Prioritising your sleep is a powerful way to improve mental health.
“Our videos will help people understand the impact of sleep deprivation and some simple tools to restore healthy sleep patterns.
“Our goal is to help people sleep well, wake up feeling more energised, and thrive in their daily lives.”
Lisa Richards at Bensons, which has also released a video to showcase some of the signs of ‘tangry’ behaviour said: “Whether it’s crying at the slightest thing or swearing under your breath about everything we are all guilty of having a ‘tangry’ episode now and again.
“We hope our programme will alleviate this and help people get the best night’s sleep possible every night.”
1. You generally overreact about small issues
2. You complain more often
3. You are impatient in general
4. You snap at others
5. You lose patience with technology like laptops, phones etc
6. You can’t concentrate at work
7. You cry/get emotional at the littlest thing
8. You swear under your breath about everything
9. You eat rubbish food in a bid to cheer-up / perk-up
10. You row with your partner
11. You’re completely unreasonable
12. You get annoyed if someone else makes a mistake
13. You shout/lose my temper with the children
14. You have less patience with shop workers and waiting staff
15. You feel like different person – your personality changes
16. You often get the wrong end of the stick
17. You throw things in frustration
18. You seem to constantly apologise for snapping / being rude
19. You become an aggressive driver
20. You cancel social plans
