Abstract
Sleep is a form of rejuvenation, which can be treated as a source of energy. This energy is available in limited quantities
and individuals must decide when it should be renewed and when it should be consumed. Sleeping involves investing in energy
and alertness but also a sacrifice of time. We derive and solve the inter-temporal utility-maximization problem on the length
of sleep to obtain optimality conditions for the length of sleep. Several applications emerge from the analysis. These include
the effects of labor-market opportunities on sleep patterns; the effect of having children; the consequences of decreased
division of labor within the household; and the relationship between sleep deprivation and obesity. When data allows, those
outcomes are tested using panel data from Iceland. The empirical results are consistent with the predictions of the theoretical
model.
and individuals must decide when it should be renewed and when it should be consumed. Sleeping involves investing in energy
and alertness but also a sacrifice of time. We derive and solve the inter-temporal utility-maximization problem on the length
of sleep to obtain optimality conditions for the length of sleep. Several applications emerge from the analysis. These include
the effects of labor-market opportunities on sleep patterns; the effect of having children; the consequences of decreased
division of labor within the household; and the relationship between sleep deprivation and obesity. When data allows, those
outcomes are tested using panel data from Iceland. The empirical results are consistent with the predictions of the theoretical
model.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s11299-011-0086-5
- Authors
- Tinna Laufey Asgeirsdottir, Department of Economics, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Gylfi Zoega, Department of Economics, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
- Journal Mind & Society
- Online ISSN 1860-1839
- Print ISSN 1593-7879