A very recent study published only a few days ago in the journal Nature Communications, is the first to show a two-way relationship between sleep loss and becoming socially isolated, shedding new light on a global loneliness epidemic.
ScienceDaily posted a review of the article; outlining that ‘researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have found that sleep-deprived people feel lonelier and less inclined to engage with others, avoiding close contact in much the same way as people with social anxiety’.
‘Worse still, that alienating vibe makes sleep-deprived individuals more socially unattractive to others. Also, well-rested people feel lonely after just a brief encounter with a sleep-deprived person, potentially triggering a viral contagion of social isolation’.
To read the full review or article follow the links below.
Story Source:
University of California – Berkeley. “Poor sleep triggers viral loneliness and social rejection: Lack of sleep generates social anxiety that infects those around us.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 August 2018. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180815171117.htm
Journal Reference:
Eti Ben Simon, Matthew P. Walker. Sleep loss causes social withdrawal and loneliness. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05377-0
