Financial anxiety is the leading cause of sleep disruption across the UK, with around a third of people being kept awake by money worries, outranking family pressures, work stress, and health concerns.
The findings are revealed in a consumer survey for bed retailer Land of Beds. When respondents were asked to identify the source of that stress, financial worry came out on top at 33.7%, followed by family or relationship worries (19.5%), work pressures (17.9%), and health concerns (10.8%). News and current events (2.2%) and social media (1.2%) followed behind.
Financial worry was found to affect men and women fairly equally, with 34.9% of women and 32.2% of men citing money as their primary source of bedtime stress. Those in Wales (40.1%) and Northern Ireland (38.9%) were effected the most losing sleep over their finances.
The study also highlighted a widespread health concern of sleep troubles. Just 27.9% of people in the study were found to achieve the recommended seven hours of sleep per night and only 14.3% reported regularly waking up feeling genuinely refreshed. The burden falls disproportionately on women, with 52% admitting to waking up tired each morning compared to only 37% of men.
Almost 88% of people were found to wake at least once during the night, with nearly half (48%) waking two or more times.
‘Consistently getting fewer than seven hours of sleep is linked to increased risk of high blood pressure, weakened immunity, weight gain, and low mood. Most adults need between seven and nine hours to allow the body to properly repair and regulate itself, and it’s one of the most important things you can do for your overall health,’ says GP Katrina O’Donnell.
The research also reveals that many people are inadvertently amplifying the impact of stress through their evening routines. 91% admitted to using a screen before bed, with 63.4% scrolling on their mobile phone as their last activity before sleep.
Diet was also found to play a part. Nearly a third of people (31.4%) were found to consume caffeine after 6pm while a further 69.7% admit to eating within an hour of going to sleep, all habits that research consistently links to lighter, more disrupted rest.
‘We believe sleep is the foundation of physical health, mental wellbeing and daily performance. Our study highlights just how many factors, from stress about money to daily routines, influence the quality of our rest. By understanding these habits we can start having a more informed national conversation about sleep and empower people to make small, practical changes that have a big impact on how they feel every day,’ says Mike Murray, Land of Beds ceo.
‘A significant reason why so many are going to bed too late and not waking up energised is nighttime scrolling and looking at social media and the news. When people go onto their electronic devices before bedtime, the nervous system becomes over-stimulated, often causing them to worry about work or the state of the world or they compare themselves and their lives with what they see on social media which creates feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth. None of this is conducive to getting a good night’s sleep,’ says sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan.
The findings are bason on a based on a survey of 2,004 UK adults, conducted in February.
