THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2024 (HealthDay News) — If anxiety about this year’s presidential election keeps you up at night, you’re not alone.
About 17% of U.S. adults (45 million Americans) say the election has had a negative impact on their sleep, according to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation.
The study found that these people slept less on weekends and had poorer sleep quality overall.
The results showed that the negative impact of the 2024 presidential election on sleep was felt across all groups, including political affiliation.
“The dynamics of stressful social events like elections and voting day can negatively impact a nation’s mood, which in turn can negatively impact sleep health, which is important for health and well-being. ” the Sleep Foundation (NSF) said in an NSF news release. “This highlights the importance of addressing sleep health during times of high stress.”
Anxiety and insomnia can interact with each other, sleep experts say. People with anxiety have poor sleep, and people who don’t sleep well are more likely to experience anxiety.
Results showed that people affected by the election slept about seven hours over the weekend, nearly 30 minutes less than those who said their sleep was not disrupted by politics.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being better and 5 being worse), those who were worried about the election had an average sleep quality of about 3.36, compared to those who were unaffected by politics. The average sleep quality was 2.05.
About 18% of Democrats said they had lost sleep over the election, compared to 17% of Republicans and 16% of independents.
Candidates and their consultants and campaign managers can help by considering how their messages impact Americans’ sleep health and well-being, NSF concluded.
“For example, election strategies and media coverage that exaggerate the likelihood of a potential negative election outcome and incite strong emotional reactions in the public can negatively impact sleep health, which in turn can lead to broader health and “This may affect well-being and safety outcomes,” the report states.
According to NSF, the survey surveyed 1,364 adults nationwide two months before Election Day.
Detailed information
Harvard Medical School offers tips for overcoming anxiety and getting a good night’s sleep.
Source: National Sleep Foundation, News Release, October 29, 2024
