So what are they doing about it? They’re, perhaps counterintuitively, bed rotting and watching TV.
But Gen Z have it worst: The bright young minds of tomorrow are the generation most likely to lie awake thinking about money—a staggering 7 in 10 can’t sleep because they’re so stressed about rising prices, rent and job security.
Avoidance tactics can make you feel more in control when the world feels uncertain. But in reality, avoiding confronting your finances head-on and seeking a quick boost of dopamine instead only delays facing your anxiety.
“It might feel comforting at first, but it can throw off your sleep rhythm and leave you feeling more tired later,” the report warns.
Instead of pushing worrying to the back of your mind—only for it to rear its ugly head at midnight—the experts actually suggest establishing a “worry window” earlier in the day. That is, giving yourself 15-20 minutes to write down your concerns and any potential solutions, “then remind yourself you’ve already addressed them when they resurface at night.”
For doom scrolling specifically, the report advises setting a “phone curfew” one hour before you go to sleep, or putting all devices in another room entirely to avoid temptation. But, you’ll need to find something else to do with your thumbs while you unwind—or risk relapsing.
“Replace the scrolling habit with a more calming activity like reading a physical book, journaling, or doing gentle stretches,” the report warns. “Your brain needs something to fill that time rather than just eliminating the behavior.”
And when it comes to feeling more confident about your finances? The researchers recommend setting small, achievable financial goals like building an emergency fund or paying off one small debt to build momentum.
“Track your income, expenses, debts, and savings for at least a month so you know exactly where you stand rather than operating on assumptions or fears,” the report concludes. “Knowledge often reduces the anxiety that comes from feeling out of control or uninformed about financial decisions.”
