The biggest stressors keeping Aussies up at night

We’re all struggling with the same concerns

One in three Aussies aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep each night. While some of us are simply keeping ourselves up doom scrolling, stress is getting in the way of rest for many people.

It doesn’t take much to see that Aussies are stressed.

The cost of food, housing, clothes, transport, and everything in between has gone up, work never just stays at work, it seems like we have less time to see family and friends, and thanks to social media, we constantly feel like we’re falling behind everyone else in our lives.

The ever-growing stress is now impacting Australians’ much-needed sleep, with one in three failing to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

According to Body+Soul’s Sleep Report, 71 per cent of bad sleepers say that stress causes difficulty sleeping, and 52 per cent feel stressed or anxious on a daily basis.

So what are the main stressors keeping us up at night?

The cost of living crisis is among the biggest stressors keeping us up at night. Image: Unsplash

The stressors getting in the way of Aussies’ sleep

Financial pressures

The cost of living crisis is among the biggest stressors keeping us up at night. 

62 per cent of bad sleepers are being kept up at night by the thought of their bills.

We’re clearly not disconnecting from our work-related stress. Image: Pexels

Even good sleepers report that their finances can make it hard for them to doze off, with 44 per cent of them labelling money worries as their top stressor.

Work-related stress

Despite the right to disconnect being added to the Fair Work Act, giving Aussies the option to leave work at work without being punished for a missed email, text, or update, we’re clearly not disconnecting from our work-related stress.

This category was the second largest stressor for Australians overall, keeping 46 per cent of disrupted sleepers up at night.

But with fewer Aussies having access to bulk-billed GPs, money for specialist appointments, or time to spend on waitlists, it makes sense that their wellness worries would get in the way of a good night’s sleep. Image: Pexels

Health concerns

Health concerns are stressful at the best of times. But with fewer Aussies having access to bulk-billed GPs, money for specialist appointments, or time to spend on waitlists, it makes sense that their wellness worries would get in the way of a good night’s sleep.

Bad sleepers are twice as likely to experience health issues or concerns, with 42 per cent reporting their fears as an issue for them.

We all think about our loved ones consistently throughout the day, but now they’re keeping us from getting restorative sleep. Image: iStock

Family responsibilities

We all think about our loved ones consistently throughout the day, but now they’re keeping us from getting restorative sleep. 

Both bad and disrupted sleepers report family responsibilities as a major stressor, experiencing nearly double the stress level of those who are self-described good sleepers. 

Our other personal relationships are keeping us up at night too, contributing to the stress levels of 32 per cent of bad sleepers. 

Housing or living situation concerns are keeping 22 per cent of bad sleepers up. Image: Pexels

Housing concerns

Whether you’re a renter or homeowner in a sharehouse, family home or solo studio, the housing crisis is likely impacting your stress levels.

Housing or living situation concerns are keeping 22 per cent of bad sleepers up, as well as 17 per cent of people who usually sleep well.

Fingers crossed we all find some very effective pre-bedtime rituals to help us unwind soon. Image: Pexels

Social expectations

In addition to housing concerns, social expectations such as the pressure to buy a home, move out on their own, get married, have children and land a better job are getting to Aussies of all ages. 

Major life changes are standing between us and a good sleep too, with many Australians noting relocating, divorce or loss of a loved one as key stressors.

Fingers crossed we all find some very effective pre-bedtime rituals to help us unwind soon.

Originally published as The biggest stressors keeping Aussies up at night