Psychology
Impact of Chronic Loneliness on Sleep Architecture
Quick fact
Studies using polysomnography show that chronically lonely individuals spend significantly less time in slow-wave (deep) sleep—even after controlling for depression, anxiety, and overall sleep duration. Their sleep is also more fragmented by micro-arousals (brief awakenings lasting 3-15 seconds).
Why this is interesting
You might think 'sleeping alone' is the cause, but it's the feeling of being lonely that quietly fragments your sleep. Could your perception of isolation be rewriting your brain's nightly architecture?