Investigation sheds light on factors causing restlessness within U.S. population during nighttime hours

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has released the results of a survey conducted in June 2025, revealing that stressors like money, work, politics, and new technologies like artificial intelligence are among the top reasons people in the United States are struggling to rest.

The survey, which polled 2,005 U.S. adults, found that 78% of Americans report losing sleep over financial concerns, while 65% cite work as a major sleep disruptor. The survey also indicates that worry-driven insomnia has become a widespread problem, with 56% of Americans losing sleep over concerns about job security, and 61% citing safety concerns, such as crime or violence.

In a news release, Dr. Andrew Spector, a sleep medicine physician and AASM spokesperson, stressed the importance of sleep for overall well-being. He stated that these racing thoughts not only steal sleep but also chip away at health and resilience during the day. Dr. Spector warned that a lifestyle where even a quick check of the latest headlines or social media posts before bed can leave little time in the day for the mind to process all of these fears, leading to high stress levels at bedtime and poor sleep quality.

Politics has become a larger sleep disruptor for 56% of Americans, an increase from 46% the previous year. The survey results also highlight that concerns about politics (56%) and AI and related developments (39%) contribute to sleep disturbances for a significant number of Americans.

Dr. Spector emphasized that even small, consistent changes to your bedtime routine can lead to meaningful, long-term improvements in sleep quality. He suggests unplugging an hour before bed, scheduling "worry time" during the day, jotting worries down in a notebook, exercising regularly, easing up on sleep pressure, and seeking help from a therapist or counselor for better sleep.

When we sleep better, we feel better - physically, mentally, and emotionally, according to Dr. Spector. He also suggests learning how to compartmentalize your worries to avoid having them interfere with your sleep. However, the survey did not provide information about potential strategies to help tame racing thoughts and improve sleep quality.

The survey did not specify the impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence on sleep disturbances. The AASM did not provide information on potential strategies to help tame racing thoughts and improve sleep quality. Nonetheless, the survey results underscore the need for individuals to prioritize sleep and take steps to manage stress in order to maintain their overall health and well-being.

Investigation sheds light on factors causing restlessness within U.S. population during nighttime hours