If your brain won’t slow down when your head hits the pillow, you’re in good company. A new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine shows many Americans are losing sleep over money, work, politics and more.
The survey, taken in June, found that 78% of people have lost sleep over money problems. Work worries are also high, with 65% losing sleep over job stress and 56% over job security.
“In today’s high-stress world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and many people carry their worries to bed with them,” said Dr. Andrew Spector, sleep medicine physician and AASM spokesperson. “When your stress level is too high when you go to bed, your sleep suffers, and that affects your physical and mental health.”
Hear more from Dr. Spector in this CBS News segment:
Political worries are on the rise, with 56% losing sleep over the issue, up from 46% last year. Concerns about crime or violence keep 61% awake. New tech and artificial intelligence don’t weigh as heavy, with 39% saying they’ve lost sleep over it, down slightly from last year.
The good news? A few simple habits can help.
- Unplug from news and social media an hour before bed.
- Set aside “worry time” earlier in the day so your brain doesn’t save it for bedtime.
- Write it down if a thought won’t go away.
- Stay active with regular exercise, but not right before bed.
- Don’t stress about sleep itself. Worrying about sleep makes it worse.
- Reach out for support if stress keeps disrupting your nights.
“When we sleep better, we feel better — physically, mentally and emotionally,” Spector added. “Getting quality sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have to build resilience and face life’s daily challenges.”
Use the AASM’s Sleep Center Directory to find an accredited sleep center near you.
