Drifting off to dreamland can be an almighty challenge. When you're wired on caffeine, battling stress, or tormented by bad dreams, you might wake up feeling as though you've hardly shut your eyes. Now, scientists have pinpointed another surprising factor that could be disrupting your rest and it's not related to when you hit the hay.

Strangely enough, it appears to come down to loneliness. Researchers at several US-based universities warn that lonely people are not only more likely to suffer from bad dreams, but may even have an increased risk of heart disease, strokes and premature deaths.

Many of these findings were highlighted in a new study which casts a spotlight on the health implications of poor social bonds. "Interpersonal relationships are very much a core human need," said Doctor Colin Hesse of Oregon State University.

"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."

During the research, subjects were initially prompted to gauge their own sense of isolation by responding to queries such as 'how often do you feel that you lack companionship?', and 'how often do you feel left out?'.

Subsequently, the team evaluated their reported nightmare incidences using a five-point scale. Statistical analysis has revealed a 'significant association' between the frequency of nightmares and its relationship with both loneliness and stress.

Hesse continued: "It’s too early to talk about specific interventions in a concrete sort of way.

"But our findings are certainly consistent with the possibility that treating loneliness would help lessen someone’s nightmare experiences. That’s a possibility to address in controlled, clinical studies."

Hesse and his team aren't the only experts to notice this link either. Rosey Davidson, a sleep consultant at Just Chill Baby Sleep, also drew to the devastating impact of loneliness, describing it as a 'chicken and egg situation'.

Speaking exclusively with The Express, she said: "When we're lonely, we tend to overthink, worry, and feel more on edge, which can make it harder to fall asleep and to sleep soundly. Our mental state can affect our sleep patterns, leading to restless nights and more nightmares.

"Plus, when we don’t have someone to talk to about our fears or dreams, it can make us feel even worse—humans naturally crave connection and sharing with others [...] Interestingly, this may very well be a "chicken and egg" situation.

"Poor sleep can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, as it often leads to increased irritability, reduced emotional resilience, and social withdrawal." While it may be challenging, Rosey urges people to break this cycle and seek social connection for improved sleep and wellbeing.

"Poor sleep can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, as it often leads to increased irritability, reduced emotional resilience, and social withdrawal."

While it may be challenging, Rosey urges people to break this cycle and seek social connection for improved sleep and wellbeing.

"Loneliness can disturb sleep, creating a vicious cycle," she stressed.