Feeling impulsive or frustrated? The age-old advice to "sleep it off" has never been more relevant, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Results of the study suggest napping may be an effective strategy to counteract impulsive behavior and boost tolerance.

Beginning in 2012, U-M researchers studied 40 subjects, ages 18-50. The researchers looked at how a brief nap affected adults' emotional control of negative responses.

The participants maintained a regular sleep schedule for three nights prior to the experiment, then went into a laboratory to complete the tasks.

"In a laboratory, participants completed tasks on computers and answered questions about sleepiness, mood and impulsivity," according to a news release from the university. "They were randomly assigned to a 60-minute nap opportunity or no-nap period that involved watching a nature video. Research assistants monitored the participants, who later completed those questionnaires and tasks again."

Researchers observed that those who did not nap were more irritable and were less willing to go through the difficulties of completing tasks. Those who did nap spent more time trying to solve the task and reported feeling less impulsive.

The study's lead author Jennifer Goldschmied said the results from this study, combined with results from past studies, indicate staying awake for long periods of time effects people's ability to control negative emotions.

Read the full article "Feeling snappish? Grab a nap, U-M researchers suggest" at the Detroit Free Press.