Do you ever feel lonely? The results of new study suggest that your own feelings may actually make the people around you more lonely as well.

A new study suggests that loneliness can be contagious.
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According to the results of the study published in the December issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, loneliness can spread much like the common cold. While a cold or flu bug might be spread through a handshake, loneliness can spread through groups of people via negative social interactions.

Earlier research has shown that loneliness can impact stress, heart health and immunity. But these are not the only areas in which loneliness takes its toll. "Lonely adults consume more alcohol and get less exercise than those who are not lonely," explained John Cacioppo, co-author of the book Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection in an interview with U.S. News and World Report. "Their diet is higher in fat, their sleep is less efficient, and they report more daytime fatigue. Loneliness also disrupts the regulation of cellular processes deep within the body, predisposing us to premature aging."

Learn more: Study Suggests That Loneliness Spreads in Social Networks

Definition: Abnormal psychology is a segment of psychology that deals with psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and many more. Counselors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists often work directly in this field. Read more about abnormal psychology.

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We often think of a crisis as a sudden unexpected catastrophe, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or other cataclysmic event. In mental health terms, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person's reaction to this event. A crisis can result from a sudden upheaval, such as unemployment, divorce or the death of a loved one and reactions to these events can vary widely from person to person.

Reactions to a crisis can vary widely, with some showing few ill effects while others experiences symptoms including anger, flashbacks and social withdrawal. Research has shown that crisis counseling can be extremely beneficial to those experiencing a crisis event, but according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), these individuals "...do not see themselves as needing mental health services and are unlikely to request them."

• What Is a Crisis?
• Common Reactions to a Crisis
• Elements of Crisis Counseling

When was the last time you found yourself drifting off in the middle of a long class lecture or meeting? According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2008 "Sleep in America" poll, 29% of participants reported becoming very sleepy or even falling asleep at work in the previous month alone.

Sleep can affect learning, stress, weight and much more.

"Nearly 50 million Americans chronically suffer from sleep problems and disorders that affect their careers, their personal relationships and safety on our roads," explains Darrel Drobnich of the National Sleep Foundation in a press release. Unfortunately, getting a good night's sleep is not a priority for many of these individuals. The foundation's reports also found that approximately 63% of respondents simply accept sleep deprivation as a part of their life, while 32% turn to caffeinated drinks to combat their daytime sleepiness.

"Similar to diet and exercise, sleep needs to be an integral element of a healthy lifestyle. The impact of not getting good sleep is far reaching and has Americans compromising their productivity, safety, health and relationships - both on the job and at home," Drobnich suggests. Recent research has linked lack of sleep to a wide range of ailments, including memory problems and obesity. Learn more about some of the top reasons why you should get a good night's sleep.

Of course, knowing why you need to sleep isn't enough to solve the problem. If you struggle with sleep, there are a number of tips you can follow to improve both the amount and quality of sleep you get each night. About.com's Guide to Sleep Disorders, Brandon Peters, has some great tips on how to get a better night's sleep.

Related Reading:

• Stages of Sleep
• Theories of Sleep
• Sleep Disorders

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