Jul 02, 2015 12:47 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

New research suggests that poor sleep habits can adversely affect someone's self-control.

Researchers from Clemson University found that poor sleep habits can have a negative effect on self-control, or the ability to control one's emotions, which can impact individuals' personal and professional lives.

"Self-control is part of daily decision-making. When presented with conflicting desires and opportunities, self-control allows one to maintain control," June Pilcher, one of four authors of the study, said in a statement. "Our study explored how sleep habits and self-control are interwoven and how sleep habits and self-control may work together to affect a person's daily functioning."

Previous studies have shown that people today work irregular hours and sleep less, resulting in poor sleep and chronic sleep loss, which affects decision-making.  

"Exercising self-control allows one to make better choices when presented with conflicting desires and opportunities. That has far-reaching implications to a person's career and personal life," Pilcher said.

Prior research also suggests that poor sleep habits can also lead to health problems, including weight gain, hypertension and illness. Better sleep habits, or getting the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep, can contribute to a more stable level of daily energy reserves. Availability of energy can refuel a person's ability to make more difficult choices rather than opting for the easier choice or the easier task.

"Many aspects of our daily lives can be affected by better-managed sleep and self-control capacity," Pilcher said. "Improved health and worker performance are two potential benefits, but societal issues such as addictions, excessive gambling and over spending could also be more controllable when sleep deficiencies aren't interfering with one's decision making."

The findings are detailed in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 

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