DENVER -
More of us losing sleep over financial worries. Some are even calling it an "epidemic of anxiety"
And sleep clinics across the country report a big increase in people seeking help, or at least advice on how to overcome the stress. In fact, various surveys show anywhere from 35 to 60 percent of us report losing sleep over mounting financial worries these days.
"My retirement's involved with the stock market," said a man in downtown Denver, "And that's down 40 percent so that's enough to keep you awake."
"Yeah, it keeps me up definitely," said a woman concerned about her finances.
"There are so many different stresses that are on us now, it just seems like things just keep piling up and piling up," said UCD psychologist Mary Coussons-Read.
And piling up nights of lost sleep, can start causing subtle changes in your behavior.
"Having trouble concentrating, being moodier, feeling just out of sorts," said Dr. Coussons-Read.
And the long term impact can create serious health problems.
Coussons-Read says one of the best things to help you sleep is to find a little time to yourself.
"Relax with a book, you can meditate, exercise is a great thing to do and that's particularly, when people are stressed one of the first things that goes is personal time and particularly exercise," she said.
Before laying down to sleep, some experts recommend writing down what's worrying you and what, if anything you can do to resolve it, then putting it aside until morning. Accept what you can't control and work on the things you can.
"Doing things that get your mind off of the stress that's keeping you awake is really helpful and physical activity's a big part of that," said Coussons-Read.
"Just try to do things to try to get back into a healthy rhythm, can be very very important," she said.
A lack of sleep can easily lead to more problems, which can make your situation even worse.
Ironically, many people hesitate to seek treatment because they fear their employer will think they can't handle their jobs.
And sleep clinics across the country report a big increase in people seeking help, or at least advice on how to overcome the stress. In fact, various surveys show anywhere from 35 to 60 percent of us report losing sleep over mounting financial worries these days.
"My retirement's involved with the stock market," said a man in downtown Denver, "And that's down 40 percent so that's enough to keep you awake."
"Yeah, it keeps me up definitely," said a woman concerned about her finances.
"There are so many different stresses that are on us now, it just seems like things just keep piling up and piling up," said UCD psychologist Mary Coussons-Read.
And piling up nights of lost sleep, can start causing subtle changes in your behavior.
"Having trouble concentrating, being moodier, feeling just out of sorts," said Dr. Coussons-Read.
And the long term impact can create serious health problems.
Coussons-Read says one of the best things to help you sleep is to find a little time to yourself.
"Relax with a book, you can meditate, exercise is a great thing to do and that's particularly, when people are stressed one of the first things that goes is personal time and particularly exercise," she said.
Before laying down to sleep, some experts recommend writing down what's worrying you and what, if anything you can do to resolve it, then putting it aside until morning. Accept what you can't control and work on the things you can.
"Doing things that get your mind off of the stress that's keeping you awake is really helpful and physical activity's a big part of that," said Coussons-Read.
"Just try to do things to try to get back into a healthy rhythm, can be very very important," she said.
A lack of sleep can easily lead to more problems, which can make your situation even worse.
Ironically, many people hesitate to seek treatment because they fear their employer will think they can't handle their jobs.
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