A good night’s rest is never a given when you’re a parent. But—aside from crying babies or kids wanting water or another bedtime story—what actually causes us to lose sleep? A new report from Bankrate.com did a deep dive into the question of what makes our nights restless, and came up with some answers.
According to the researchers, older millennials (those ages 28 to 37) say that money worries have cost them some serious shut-eye, making them the group that’s the most concerned about their bankrolls. In fact,people who fall into this age range worry more than anyone else about credit card debt (24% have chased zzz’s in vain because of this) and paying off their monthly mortgage or rent bil (17%).
For younger millennials (those 18 to 27 years old), it’s work that tops the angst A-list, with 39% of them saying they’ve lain awake at night fretting over stuff back at the ol’ office. They also lose sleep due to stress over family relationships (32%), their romantic partners (31%) and pals (24%).
None of this comes as a surprise to Amanda Dixon, a Bankrate.com analyst. “Millennials have a lot to worry about,” she explains. “the economy overall is in good shape, but wages are stagnant, housing costs are rising, and the job market has become more competitive. It’s no wonder so many 20- or 30-somethings lie awake at night.”
Even some worries associated with older populations can sneak up on millennials in the wee hours, the report found. While Younger Baby Boomers (ages 54 to 63) and Gen Xers (ages 38 to 53) are most likely to lose sleep over saving for retirement (25% and 22% respectively), fully one-fifth (or 20%) of older millennials do the same.
Tired of, well, being tired because you lost sleep over financial worries? Try consulting with a financial professional to formulate long-term savings goals and plans. When it comes to setting your mind at ease—and setting you up for a good night’s sleep—that’s a move that’s right on the money.
