Americans are losing sleep over the economy

One-third of Americans are losing sleep over the state of the U.S. economy and other personal financial concerns, according to a new poll by the National Sleep Foundation and Slidell Memorial Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center. The Sleep in America poll indicates the number of people reporting sleep problems is up 13% since 2001. In the past eight years, the number of Americans who sleep less than six hours a night jumped from 13% to 20%, and those who reported sleeping eight hours or more dropped from 38% to 28%. Twenty-seven percent say their sleep has been disturbed at least a few nights a week in the past month. Some 16% blame personal financial concerns; 15%, the U.S. economy; and 10%, employment concerns. More than half of those surveyed also reported driving while drowsy; one-third indicate they’ve nodded off or fallen asleep behind the wheel. “It’s easy to understand why so many people are concerned over the economy and jobs, but sacrificing sleep is the wrong solution,” says National Sleep Foundation CEO David Cloud. “Sleep is essential for productivity and alertness and is a vital sign for one’s overall health.”