Financial Woes Keeping You Up?
Financial Worries Keep More People Up at Night
Experts offer Advice on Getting Better Sleep
By Greg Wright
Are you having a hard time sleeping lately? You could blame the economy.
One out of three Americans said they have lost sleep due to the state of the economy and personal financial reasons, according to a 2009 survey from the National Sleep Foundation in Washington. And the number of people having sleep problems has jumped 13 percent since 2001, the survey said.
You don't have to let financial worries keep you up at night
“It’s easy to understand why so many people are concerned over the economy and jobs, but sacrificing sleep is the wrong solution,” NSF Chief Executive Officer David Cloud said.
Most people need six to eight hours of sleep a day. Getting an adequate amount of shuteye is essential to your health. Studies have linked sleep deprivation to high-blood pressure, diabetes and even weight gain. Sleeplessness can also be a safety factor – many automobile and machinery-related accidents are caused by tired people.
Whether financial worries are causing you to lose sleep or some other cause, here are some tips from experts on how to get a good night’s rest. You might try these suggestions before seeking a doctor’s advice:
Set aside time outside your normal sleep hours to think about and discuss money issues. Then set these matters aside so you can concentrate on sleep, said Thomas Sherman, who suffered from insomnia during a divorce and offers advice on how to battle the problem at http://thesleepsecretebook.com.
You can even go so far as to write down your financial worries and other problems before your regular bedtime along with solutions and more optimistic ways to cope with them, said Debbie Mandel, author of Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life. Doing this exercise before trying to go to sleep could make dozing off easier, she said.
Is your sleep environment okay? Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet and your pillows and bed are comfortable, folks at the National Sleep Foundation advised. Also keep regular sleep times.
Avoid high caffeine drinks at least eight hours before sleep and alcoholic beverages for a few hours before bedtime, the National Sleep Foundation said. Also exercise regularly but not within three hours before bedtime.
Have a sleep routine that includes steps to clear your mind of worry first, said Sandra Hoedemaker, a holistic health counselor (www.simplylivinghealthy.com) in Plainsboro, N.J. For instance, an hour before bedtime turn down the lights in your home and do relaxing activities such as writing a journal, reading, yoga or a warm, candlelit bath. Breathing exercises can also help you relax, ease racing thoughts, and go to sleep, she said.
If you are laying in bed and can’t sleep get up and find something relaxing or boring to do, said Stephanie Silberman, a psychologist in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and co-author of The Insomnia Workbook. “Staying in bed while worrying can lead to worsening insomnia,” she said. Silberman also advises that you never read or watch television in bed because these activities keep you up. Do them in another room.
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