A recent investigation revealed a connection between better sleep quality and reduced feelings of loneliness, particularly pronounced among younger individuals. These results were presented at the SLEEP 2024 conference.
Research indicates that improved sleep quality is linked to reduced feelings of loneliness, both overall and in specific emotional and social aspects. While better sleep benefits all age groups, its impact on emotional loneliness is particularly pronounced in younger individuals, though age does not affect its effect on social loneliness.
"Loneliness is an urgent public health crisis, and there is a pressing need for providers to better understand and treat it," said lead author and principal investigator Joseph Dzierzewski, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and is vice president of research at the National Sleep Foundation in Washington, D.C. "Our results highlight the important role that sleep plays in understanding loneliness across the adult lifespan. Perhaps efforts to improve sleep health could have a beneficial effect on loneliness, especially for young people."
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine emphasises the importance of sleep for overall health. They, along with the Sleep Research Society, suggest that adults aim for seven hours of sleep nightly for the best health, productivity, and alertness during the day.
The research included 2,297 adults, averaging 44 years old; 51% were male. They filled out online surveys about sleep health and loneliness. The data was examined using correlation, linear regression, and moderation analyses.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning about a significant public health issue related to loneliness, isolation, and a lack of social connection. The advisory highlighted that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, around half of American adults reported feeling lonely to some extent.
According to the authors, efforts and programs that aim to reduce loneliness should include an emphasis on promoting sleep health, especially in younger adults. "Why younger adults might experience more sleep-related benefits to loneliness than older adults is unknown and intriguing -- certainly worth further investigation," Dzierzewski said.
(with ANI inputs)
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