Financial insomnia is a real thing. Two out of three Americans said their sleep was affected by financial concerns. A survey done in 2009, back when financial troubles were on the rise due to the U.S. economy, job losses, mortgage crisis, and a rise in personal bankruptcy. While some of this has been getting better, the stress and the worry remains for many Americans (CreditCards.com).

Dr. Meir Kryger, director of research and education at Gaylord Sleep Services in Wallingford, Conn., said, “If people can’t pay their bills and they’re having financial problems, they worry and they go to bed and they can’t fall asleep.” He later goes on to say that the lack of sleep can create a vicious cycle as a person struggles to afford the necessary therapy, let alone the normal bills. This in turn creates more stress and leads to more restless nights (CreditCards.com).

You may have a sleep problem if you:

• Have difficulty falling asleep at night.
• Awake in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep.
• Wake up too early in the morning.
• Feel tired during the day (com).

While the job market is getting better, there are still issues in today’s economy with student loan debt, credit card debt, and even in the housing industry. No matter the cause, the issue of Financial Insomnia remains the same, but there are solutions for having a good night’s sleep, despite the worries.

Sleep tips for those with financial woes:

• Reduce stress and anxiety by talking about financial woes with friends or family.
• Before bed, try meditation, deep breathing exercises, or other techniques to ease your mind away from financial problems.
• Speak with a professional sleep expert or counselor, if you can afford it.
• Improve sleep comfort by adjusting the lights and temperature before bed.
• Avoid falling asleep in a lighted room or with the TV on.
• Exercise each day, but no more than three hours before bedtime.
• Avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed as both interfere with sleep – either falling asleep or waking in the middle of the night (com).

Don’t let your money woes keep you from getting the rest you deserve! If you’re tired of counting sheep due to a bad mattress, we say … Quit counting sheep, sleep with a Wolf!

—

Sources:

Prater, Connie. “Poll: Americans losing sleep over finances.” CreditCards.com, 16 July 2009, http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/poll-losing-sleep-credit-card-finances-1276.php. Accessed 3 Aug. 2017.