Over 1,5 million more British women than men losing sleep over money worries

Women are being kept awake in greater numbers than men due to worries over money, according to a new survey commissioned by StepChange Debt Charity. Nearly 1.5 million more women than men (4.5m compared to 2.9m) said that financial problems were causing them to lose sleep.

The release of the findings comes as part of the charity’s Need to Sleep campaign which aims to encourage people to recognise the impact long-term sleeplessness has on their well-being and address the root cause by seeking help with their money problems.

Household bills and savings top of worry list

Women in particular seem to be feeling the strain of making ends meet, with half of those losing sleep because of money worries saying they were kept awake by worry over meeting the costs of essential household bills, compared to 47 percent of men. Other money problems keeping women awake included a lack of savings (57 percent) and debt problems (24 percent).

The impact

The online survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the charity, found that the impact of sleeplessness on women reaches far wider than just lying awake through the night:

• 47 percent of women who struggled to sleep said it impacted on their ability to concentrate
• 32 percent found it more difficult to get work done
• 19 percent said it affected their relationship with their partner or spouse
• 16 percent said it affected their relationship with their friends or family

In addition, lack of sleep carries an emotional toll, with female respondents who had trouble sleeping saying that they felt frustrated (62 percent), worried (37 percent), helpless (23 percent) and isolated (20 percent). 

Frances Walker, Head of Media and Public Affairs at StepChange Debt Charity, said: “Millions of women are losing precious sleep over every day financial concerns, showing that the cost of living is a true struggle for many. All too often, we see people who have waited over a year to seek debt advice. The sooner people take action, the easier it will be to stop the problem spiralling out of control, and finally get that all-important good night’s sleep.”

For more information on StepChange Debt Charity’s Need to Sleep campaign visit www.needtosleep.org #needtosleep