Washington - More than a quarter of Americans are losing sleep over their economic woes as the United States reels in its worst recession since the 1930s, according to a new poll.
The poll, released by the National Sleep Foundation Monday, found that economic concerns had 27 percent of respondents tossing and turning for at least several nights every week for the past month.
Americans were worried about their personal finances, the US economy, their jobs and healthcare costs.
"It's easy to understand why so many people are concerned over the economy and jobs, but sacrificing sleep is the wrong solution," National Sleep Foundation CEO David Cloud said in a statement.
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"Sleep is essential for productivity and alertness and is a vital sign for one's overall health."
The poll, which surveyed 1 000 adults, also found that healthy respondents who got enough sleep were twice more likely to work efficiently, eat healthy or exercise than those in poor health.
"With the economy worsening, we are seeing patients in our clinic who have told us that they would not be returning for treatment because they or a family member have lost their jobs, and they are concerned about costs," said Meir Kryger, Director of Research and Education at Gaylord Sleep Services.
"These patients may wind up far sicker. Sleep disorders are often associated with other chronic diseases, like diabetes and hypertension, and they can add complexity and even accelerate each other if untreated."
There was a 13 percent increase since 2001 in the number of people reporting sleep problems. The number of Americans sleeping less than six hours per night also jumped from 13 to 20 percent, and there was a 10-percent drop in those who said they slept eight hours or more.
Lack of sleep is also a public safety risk, with more than a half of adults (54 percent) indicating they had driven when drowsy at least once in the past year. More than a quarter (28 percent) of respondents said they had nodded off or fallen asleep while driving.
Commerce Department data showed the US economy contracted a worse-than-expected 6.2 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, the sharpest since the first quarter of 1982, highlighting the stunning meltdown in economic activity. - AFP
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