{"id":64016,"date":"2022-09-16T08:30:21","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T13:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/?p=64016"},"modified":"2024-04-06T06:17:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T06:17:43","slug":"stress-and-worry-over-the-state-of-the-world-keeps-some-americans-up-at-night","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/news\/stress-and-worry-over-the-state-of-the-world-keeps-some-americans-up-at-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress and Worry Over the State of the World Keeps Some Americans up at Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>1 in 5 Americans report trouble falling asleep at night, citing worry and stress over world events as a reason for their sleeplessness.<\/em><\/p>\n

Source:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State University<\/em><\/p>\n

A new national survey by\u00a0The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center<\/u>\u00a0finds many Americans are losing sleep over stress and worry about the current state of the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a global pandemic, polarizing political division and more than two years of turbulent events, nearly one in five survey respondents report struggling to fall asleep at night.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, there was a 29% increase in referrals for insomnia from 2018 to 2021,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Aneesa Das<\/u>, professor of internal medicine.<\/p>\n

\u201cStress can increase your heart rate, increase your blood pressure, make you have an upset stomach and cause muscle tension. All of those things increase our alertness, making it harder to fall asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

The survey also found many Americans try to mitigate sleep issues by using habits that may be detrimental to a good night\u2019s sleep. Nearly half of Americans say they scroll their phones right before bed and 37% fall asleep with the TV on.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur circadian drive is that central clock telling us when we\u2019re supposed to be awake and asleep, and that is driven by light more than anything,\u201d said Das. \u201cWhen we use our smartphones and our TVs right before bed, we increase that bright light exposure at the wrong time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"This
A new national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds 37% of Americans fall asleep with the TV on, which sleep physicians say can be detrimental to establishing a healthy sleep schedule. Credit: Ohio State<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead, Das suggests increasing natural light exposure by getting outside during the day as much as possible. Once the sun sets, limiting light exposure is essential to obtaining better sleep. Also, consistent exercise during the week is key to helping your body get on an optimal sleep routine.<\/p>\n

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Prescribing for Anxiety Has Increased in Those Under Age 35<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Other simple behavioral adjustments that can help improve sleep patterns include:<\/p>\n