{"id":5749,"date":"2022-12-17T01:44:41","date_gmt":"2022-12-17T01:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=5749"},"modified":"2022-12-17T01:44:41","modified_gmt":"2022-12-17T01:44:41","slug":"a-bad-mattress-can-kill-your-social-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/a-bad-mattress-can-kill-your-social-life\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bad Mattress Can Kill Your Social Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Happy<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that a poor night\u2019s sleep comes with plenty of physical baggage the next day – from listless limbs to red-streaked eyes. And the side effects don\u2019t stop there because the mental baggage is just waiting in the wings to join the show – complete with the brain fog you just can\u2019t shake.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if those fun side effects aren\u2019t enough motivation to prioritize better sleep, there\u2019s more. A study out of UC Berkeley reveals a two-way relationship between sleep loss and becoming socially isolated. So, in addition to counterproductive physical and mental side effects, lack of sleep can also make people feel lonely and less inclined to engage with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Great! BRB, just grabbing our grumpy pants for this read.<\/span><\/p>\n

Social effects of poor sleep.<\/span><\/h2>\n

The study conducted by UC Berkeley researchers (and published in the journal <\/span>Nature Communications<\/span><\/i>1<\/span>) found that sleep-deprived subjects not only felt lonelier but also avoided close contact in much the same way as people with social anxiety. Furthermore, these lonely vibes also made the subjects less socially attractive to others – even triggering loneliness in those they encountered, thereby creating a \u201cviral contagion of social isolation.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Berkeley scientists didn\u2019t stop there. Yet another study<\/span>2<\/span> conducted a few years later revealed that a lack of sleep can also impair people\u2019s social conscience by withdrawing the desire and willingness to help others. These studies collectively support a growing body of evidence that inadequate sleep not only harms our mental and physical well-being \u201cbut also compromises the bonds between individuals \u2014 and even the altruistic sentiment of an entire nation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite these findings, the news about sleep loss isn\u2019t all doom and gloom. Why? Studies like these spotlight the problem and generate meaningful conversations about healthy sleep. There has been a renewed interest in cultivating and practicing healthy sleep habits over the last few decades as the conversations around sleep hygiene, <\/span>beauty sleep<\/span><\/a>, and other sleep-friendly subjects continue to grow. As this happens, general society\u2019s attitude around sleep is shifting, and the word is spreading – sleep and health go hand in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sleep matters.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hopefully, the information revealed in these studies underscores the importance of getting quality sleep for 7-8 hours every night. Especially in light of the holiday season, which is the most social and giving time of year!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what can you do to improve the length and quality of your nightly slumber to avoid the viral loneliness and social suicide these researchers discovered? The best place to start is with your mattress, which is easily the most essential item in your better sleep arsenal. If your current mattress doesn\u2019t provide enough comfort and support, it could sabotage your sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, you may be unsure how to know when to replace your mattress. After all, there\u2019s no indicator light signaling you to \u201creplace mattress\u201d when the time comes. The signs your current mattress is past its prime can be subtle and almost undetectable. For example, here are the most common indicators:<\/span><\/p>\n

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