Introduction
It’s 2 am but you cannot shut your eyes. Deep in your mind anxiety rumbles about your financial situation: debt, poor budgeting, and money that easily slips away from your bank account. You worry about your future and wondering what you should do. Your paycheck seems like it doesn’t want to stay in your pocket and flies away in a hurry.
Do you know there is a simple hack to reduce this sleep anxiety deadlock? “Oh, really?” You said. A simple mindful budgeting can be a therapy for you and for everyone with the same problem. How? In this article I will show you how this simple step can ease your mental tension and hopefully, take you from restlessness to the land of sweet dream.
The Link Between Financial Stress and Sleep Anxiety
I can genuinely say this: financial worries have struck everyone at some point.
And it bites like a bee sting in the very center of our nerves. What happens next? Worry and anxiety that creep in your head all the time, from the desk of your office all the way to the comfort of your bed. It just stays there, staring at you with its creepy eyes (I know, this is not a horror story, just to give you the idea of how horrible it is). Then comes the monster: insomnia.
Why? Why does this financial problem have to do with my bedtime routine, I just want to sleep and forget everything for a while, you say in agony.
Bear with me, and brace yourself, many scientific studies find that there is a mutual connection between financial stress and sleep anxiety. Like the one from sleepfoundation.org that in a November 2023 survey 77% of U.S. adults say they lose sleep over money worries at least some of the time. I say in a dark joke term: you are not alone.
Several symptoms will certainly strike you: anxiety and worry, depression, mood swings, feeling overwhelmed. And some physical symptoms: headaches, sometimes migraines, muscle tension, fatigue, digestive issues. Some other symptoms I don’t mention here deliberately, I don’t want to worsen everyone’s suffering.
The Science Behind Nighttime Budgeting and Stress Reduction
Did I mention good news that simple nighttime budgeting helps you ease the pain? Yes, folks, there is a mutual connection between structured financial planning and anxiety reduction. Structured financial planning guides you to set a financial goal to achieve over a period of time. And writing it down in your journal or typing it in your smartphone or computer really benefits you psychologically. The secret is you grow that feeling of control of something that is unknown to you before and it gives you power to define your goal and take action for your future. And it lets go of your mental tension. Simple? Believe me, it’s undeniably effective.
A Simple Nighttime Budgeting Routine for Better Sleep
Now let’s dive into the routine:
1. Review expenses and track spending
Yes, expenses, this little devil tricks you all the time. How much money slips away from your pocket unchecked? You have to track it! Keep an eye on every spending, big and small.
2. Set small, actionable financial goals
Draw a line between dream and reality, then never cross the line. A small, actionable financial goal is better than “I want to be a billionaire in 3 months”.
3. Use journaling or budgeting apps before bed
The choice is yours. Classic journaling with a fountain pen? Or the latest AI-powered budgeting apps on your smartphone? Or maybe just a simple, self-made Google Sheet? All methods are totally valid.
4. Reflect on financial progress positively
Love yourself. Be kind to yourself. If your financial progress doesn’t make you happy, give it time and prepare for plan B.
5. Pair budgeting with relaxation techniques
Have you ever felt the amazing benefits of deep breathing? Combining this mindful breathing while budgeting creates the sense of presence and control. Try it!
Let me reinforce this method with an expert quote, it’s Dr. Matthew Walker, Neuroscientist & Author of Why We Sleep. He said,
“Anxiety is the enemy of sleep. Rituals like budgeting act as a ‘worry container,’ giving your brain permission to let go of stress and transition into rest mode.”
Conclusion
You need that feeling of control and managing the uncertainty, turning it into a real number and tangible elements to make it less scary. We are all scared of the unknown, right? Try it tonight. I have tried it and have been doing it ever since. The result? I am aware of my financial situation, have many plans to deal with it tomorrow, and sleep soundly tonight.
Photo by Mediamodifier on Unsplash .