WAKING up sweating, shaking and your heart racing from a nightmare is never a pleasant experience. It might seem like some people are more prone to having their sleep invaded by bad dreams , while others consistently sleep through the night like a baby - now, scientists have a theory as to why. People who are lonely could be more prone to having bad dreams, according to scientists from Oregon State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Tampa and Whitworth University.
Both loneliness and sleep disorders are serious public health issues, researcher Colin Hesse said, as they're both linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death. The study sheds light on the health consequences of being lonely, scientists said. Researchers drew on a theory called the evolutionary theory of loneliness, which proposes that feelings of loneliness evolved as a kind of alert system to warn us when our social connections are lacking.
Dr Hesse, director of the School of Communication in OSU’s College of Liberal Arts, said: “When people’s need for strong relationships goes unmet, they suffer physically, mentally and socially. "Just like hunger or fatigue means you haven’t gotten enough calories or sleep, loneliness has evolved to alert individuals when their needs for interpersonal connection are going unfulfilled.” It comes after Harvard University researchers said loneliness may increase a person’s risk of stroke by 56 per cent.
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