Francesca Cañellas, doctor: “Loneliness and lack of sleep are common risk factors for many diseases”

The relationship between sleep and mental health goes far beyond feeling tired the next day. Scientific evidence accumulated over recent years confirms that lack of rest not only affects daily performance but can also promote social isolation and become a key risk factor for multiple diseases.

This is explained by Dr. Francesca Cañellas, a psychiatrist specializing in sleep medicine, a researcher at the Illes Balears Health Research Institute (IdISBa), and a member of the Insomnia Working Group of the Spanish Sleep Society (SES).

According to the expert, sleep deprivation can trigger behaviors of social withdrawal and feelings of loneliness which, in turn, further worsen sleep quality, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. This bidirectional relationship has been supported by scientific studies examining how sleep and social life are deeply interconnected.

Loneliness disrupts sleep quality

Cañellas points out that a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2020 confirmed that loneliness is associated with poorer sleep quality, although not necessarily with fewer hours of sleep. “Loneliness is correlated with impaired sleep quality, but not with sleep duration. Loneliness increases levels of vigilance and makes sleep less restorative,” the psychiatrist explains.

From an evolutionary perspective, this phenomenon has a clear explanation. As the specialist notes, “Historically, being alone and separated from the group was dangerous, which led to activation of the stress system, increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and changes in cortisol levels and rhythms that are involved in fragmented sleep.” In other words, the body remains in a state of alert that makes deep, continuous rest difficult.

Emotional regulation and health risks

For Cañellas, the key link between sleep and loneliness lies in emotional regulation. “The brain structures and neurotransmitters that regulate emotions also regulate sleep, so it is intuitive to assume a close relationship in how these two systems function,” she explains. Scientific research suggests that poor or insufficient sleep is a significant risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and depression.

The SES spokesperson warns that the impact of sleep on physical and mental health is still not given enough importance. This is particularly concerning in the context of unwanted loneliness. In her own words, “Loneliness and lack of sleep are common risk factors for many diseases, so when both are present, the risk of developing numerous illnesses and the risk of mortality are multiplied.”

Improving sleep, she adds, has direct effects on reducing stress and negative emotions. For this reason, adopting healthy lifestyle habits aimed at better sleep can significantly improve quality of life and emotional well-being, especially among adolescents and older adults.

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