Back in December, the journal Sleep released a study noting that about a third of Americans report they’re not getting enough sleep every night. Writing in Smithsonian about the issue, writer Meilan Solly reported that health experts are worried about the potential long-term health effects of getting too little sleep.
In particular, African-American and Hispanic populations may be suffering the most from sleep deficits, which have been tied to a number of long- and short-term health problems.
Many of us, Solly noted, fail to get the recommended seven to nine hours of good sleep per night, and while smartphone and television use before going to bed (or while in bed) are probably contributing, social issues are probably taking their toll.
But another recent report suggests that money may be to blame more than any other issue.
Bankrate.com reported last week that of those Americans 18 and older who self-report they’re not getting enough sleep, most are tossing and turning as they worry about money. About a third of people lose sleep worrying about their finances, finds the new report. Other causes include health and relationships, work, politics, environmental issues and raising kids.
Among the key reasons for financial sleeplessness are worries about everyday expenses, saving enough money for retirement, health care or insurance bills, and the ability to pay credit card debt. Others include making the monthly mortgage or rent payment, education expenses and stock market volatility.
Generation Xers (defined by Pew Research as those born between 1965 and 1980) are the most likely to lie awake at night thinking about money, followed by millennials (born 1981-1996) and baby boomers (born 1946-1964). More than half of all these groups, though, reported experiencing financial insomnia to some degree. Nearly two-thirds of parents of kids under 18 toss and turn a lot worrying about money issues, and slightly more men lie awake seeing dollar signs than do women.
The study also looked at how optimistic or pessimistic Americans are about getting their financial problems resolved. About two-thirds of people struggling with sleep over money say they’re optimistic about getting out of their respective financial issues, with one notable exception — credit card debt. A slight majority of those surveyed said their outlook for getting out of their credit card debt didn’t look promising.
While taking care of some of your money problems could help you catch more Zs, there are some additional things you might consider if you find yourself channel-surfing at 2 a.m. because you can’t get back to sleep.
Tips for a better night's sleep
The National Institutes of Health noted recently that insomnia is the most common sleep problem in adults age 60 and older, and suggests these tips for getting a better night’s sleep:- Follow a regular sleep schedule. Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends or when you are traveling. Going to bed about the same time each night can help your body set its internal clock and make it easier to fall asleep.
- Avoid napping in the late afternoon or evening. Naps, while they can be beneficial at certain times of day, may keep you awake at night. The “sweet spot” for naps seems to be 2-3 p.m. (Something many cultures around the world seemed to have learned long ago).
- Develop a bedtime routine. The NIH suggests taking some time to wind down before getting in to bed. Reading a book or listening to soothing music are some suggestions.
- Keep screens out of the bedroom. Research has shown that the bluish light from devices can disrupt sleep by confusing your body’s natural day/night cycles and by suppressing the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. While it may be tempting to keep your mobile phone next to the bed, or even in the bed with you, it could be keeping you awake.
- Consider your environment. Keep your bedroom temperature comfortable, the nose level quiet and the lighting low, even while preparing for bed.
- Avoid alcohol near bedtime. While contrary to popular belief, a 2014 study found that while a toddy before bed helps some people get to sleep quicker, it does so by interfering with your body’s natural rhythms. Many people who fall asleep this way will wake during the night and find themselves unable to get back to sleep.
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