Nighttime worries about money ruin your sleep

The study became part of a large-scale project of the US Department of Defense. For nine months, scientists collected data from members of the National Guard of the Army and the Air Force. Participants reported their level of financial pressure at the beginning of the study, their evening stress habits later, and their sleep quality a few months later. In addition to surveys, objective methods were also used: special wrist devices recorded the duration and structure of sleep.

The results showed a steady chain: economic stress increased the level of stress before bedtime, and this, in turn, predicted worse sleep, increased symptoms of insomnia, decreased satisfaction with a night’s rest and the appearance of daytime fatigue. Scientists claim that such effects are manifested in people with different income levels: it is not so much the amount of earnings that is important, as the subjective feeling of financial vulnerability.

The work fits into a growing body of research showing that lack of sleep negatively affects attention, memory, mood, and the quality of work tasks. Thus, financial stress can trigger a vicious cycle: stress worsens sleep, and unsatisfactory sleep reduces the ability to cope with daily workloads, which only increases anxiety.

The authors of the study note that organizations and employers can play a key role in reducing financial pressure on employees. Competitive salaries, social guarantees, executive support, career development opportunities, flexible schedules and access to financial advice can reduce the factors that worry people in the evenings. At the societal level, financial literacy programs, access to medical care, stable housing, and guaranteed paid vacation time can help.

However, an individual can also take steps to improve their own sleep. Simple habits — regular routines, reduced use of gadgets before bedtime, a calm relaxation ritual, and avoiding the phone in bed — help break the cycle of nighttime stress and make it easier to fall asleep.

For the authors of the study, the work was not only a scientific contribution, but also an example of how the study of real problems can bring tangible benefits to people. According to graduate student Destiny Castro, participating in the project helped her understand how closely economic well-being and health are related to sleep. And the main conclusion of the study is clear: maintaining financial stability and taking care of healthy sleep habits are important conditions for people to live, work, and recover successfully.