Are you an energetic individual who can go without much sleep? You may think that there’s nothing wrong with this high-octane lifestyle. But a recent study is showing that sleep, or the lack thereof, can set people up for experiencing depression. Here’s the deal on making sleep a priority.

A study, published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, explored how individuals reacted to negative images by tracking their eye movements.

The researchers discovered that for those people who had regular sleep disruption, it was more difficult to move their gaze away from negative information and images. And according to one of the researchers, Meredith Coles, the “elevated negative thinking makes it difficult for them to disengage with the negative stimuli that [the researchers] exposed them to.”

And this suggests that a lack of sleep can lead to an increased focus on negative information. In short, the less you sleep, the more you hone in on negative information and the harder it will be to break that cycle.

Researches suggest that when an individual has a difficult time turning away, switching off and ignoring negative information, it can be more difficult for them to avoid mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, among others.

There are so many health benefits that come with a good night’s sleep. This research shows that adequate sleep can also keep us from getting swept up in all the negativity that fills our news feeds.

Consider making sleep more of a priority to ensure that your mental health stays strong.