Sleep experts say anxiety and sleeplessness are interrelated as those who have a problem of anxiety get poorer sleep, and those who don’t sleep well are more prone to anxiety
More than 17 per cent of US adults – almost 45 million Americans are stressed, saying the upcoming Presidential elections have negatively impacted their sleep, according to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation. The survey found that people sleep less on the weekend and have poorer sleep quality overall. The negative impact on sleep of the 2024 presidential election cut across all groups, including political party affiliation, results showed.
“The dynamics of stressful societal events like elections and election day can adversely affect the public’s mood, and in turn sleep health, which is critical for health and well-being,” Joseph Dzierzweski, senior vice president for research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), said in an NSF news release. “This reinforces the importance of addressing sleep health during periods of high stress.”
Anxiety and sleep feed on each other
According to sleep experts, anxiety and sleeplessness are interrelated. Those who have a problem of anxiety get poorer sleep, and those who don’t sleep well are more prone to anxiety.
People affected by the election are getting about 7 hours of sleep on the weekend, nearly a half hour less than those who say their sleep hasn’t been disturbed by politics, results showed. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being excellent and 5 being poor), those worried about the election had an average sleep quality of about 3.36, compared to 2.05 for those not affected by politics.
Sleeplessness cuts across political parties
About 18 per cent of Democrats say they have sleep over the election, compared with 17 per cent of Republicans and 16 per cent of independents.
Candidates and their consultants and campaign managers could help by taking into account how their messages might affect the sleep health and well-being of the American public, the NSF concluded. “For example, campaign strategies and reporting that exaggerate potential negative election outcomes and fuel strong emotional reactions from the public could have downstream negative effects on sleep health, with potential subsequent consequences for broader health, well-being, and safety outcomes,” the report said.
The survey included 1,364 adults polled across the nation two months before election day, the NSF said.
Effects of sleep deprivation
Studies say not getting enough sleep drains your mental abilities and puts your physical health at risk. Science has linked inadequate slumber with a number of health problems, from weight gain to a weakened immune system. Lack of sleep leads to problems with your:
Central nervous system
Your central nervous system is the main information highway of your body. Sleep is necessary to keep it functioning properly, but chronic insomnia disrupts how your body usually sends and processes information.
You may find it difficult to concentrate or learn new things.
Immunity
A sound sleep helps make your immune system more protective and strengthens infection-fighting substances like antibodies and cytokines. It uses these substances to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. However, sleep deprivation prevents your immune system from building up its forces.
Digestive system
Sleep deprivation can make you overweight and obese. Sleep affects the levels of two hormones, leptin, and ghrelin, which control feelings of hunger and fullness. A lack of sleep can also make you feel too tired to exercise and reduced physical activity makes you gain weight and cause digestive problems.
Cardiovascular system
Adequate sleep makes your heart and blood vessels healthy apart from regulating blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and inflammation levels. However, if you do not snooze enough, you are likely to have heart-related diseases, including an increased risk of heart attacks.
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