A recent study from academics at Bristol University suggests that putting aside even a small amount of money each month can not only improve your long-term finances, but the quality of your sleep.
To anyone who has studied the relationship between sleep and stress, this is unsurprising. One of the leading causes of anxiety is financial uncertainty. If you’re always worried about money, it can negatively affect your appetite, your immune system and both the quantity and quality of the sleep you get each night.
The relationship between stress and sleep
Stress can impact sleep in a number of ways. Whether it is acute stress which stems from recent or short-term economic problems, or chronic stress from more constant financial troubles, it is a health condition which affects your body like any other physical or mental illness.
The most common way in which financial stress affects sleep is through insomnia. If you’re worried about how you will pay your bills, it’s hard to turn these concerns off when it’s time for bed, making sleep more elusive. Also, if these thoughts are playing on your subconscious, it’s more likely that you will wake up frequently during the night, further preventing you from getting the rest you need.
It is a vicious circle. Lack of sleep triggers the production of cortisol – the stress hormone – fragmenting sleep further. Sleep is also vital for maintaining a healthy memory, meaning that if you’re sleep deprived you will have a harder time forming thoughts, following instructions, and remembering appointments, which will only had to the difficulty of keeping on top of your finances.
By putting aside a little money each month, you give yourself a safety net; a way to cope should something unexpected happen. This will put your mind at ease, making the future seem less bleak, and sleep more attainable.
Other ways to combat stress
Saving money one of the most effective ways to overcome debt-related insomnia, but there are other steps you can take to keep anxiety at bay once the sun has set.
The first is to make sure you follow a consistent sleep routine. If you go to bed at random times every night, your circadian rhythm (or body clock) will be thrown off kilter. Keeping a regular bedtime and wake-up time lulls your mind and body into a natural rhythm, so you will feel tired when you head to bed.
Another way to give your mind a break from financial stress is to write your worries down. This will force you to think through your concerns logically, rather than emotionally. What are you worried about? What would be the consequences if it came to pass? How could you recover from it?
This won’t make your problems go away, but it might prevent you from spiralling to the worst case scenario when you’re trying to get some rest.
Another way to aid sleep is to create an optimal sleep environment. Make your bedroom somewhere you can go to escape from the stresses of the day. Keep it as dark and quiet as possible, ban the use of over-stimulating screens, and invest in some quality bedding. If you come to associate your bedroom with relaxation and sleep, relaxation and sleep are what will come.
Lastly, if you find it impossible to save money, or find that saving money isn’t enough to rid you of anxiety, do not hesitate to seek out professional help.
While it might not feel like it now, financial problems can be overcome, and the same is true for mental health struggles. Your current situation won’t last forever, and you want to be well rested so you can enjoy yourself once the worst is over.
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