Do you have nightmares about your job? New study reveals why

A newly-released survey revealed that most Americans have nightmares about their jobs, leaving them to wake up feeling stressed or worried. 

The study was published last month in Eachinght. 

Researchers said they surveyed 1,750 working adults in the U.S., saying 64% of Americans have had a nightmare about their profession. 

"While we might think having a bad dream isn’t a big deal, studies have shown they can lead to problems like anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, and more," the study's author said. "In fact, people who have regular nightmares are five times likelier to have mental health issues, like depression."

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Furthermore, the study revealed that 78% of Americans said they are stressed about something at work right now.

Some of the top work-related nightmares include sex with a co-worker, being late to work and messing up a project. 

A man sits exhausted at a desk late in the evening on February 18, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)

Some of the biggest sources of stress include overwhelming workload and issues with the boss or co-workers. 

What causes nightmares?

According to the study, nightmares are linked to mental health disorders, including anxiety and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). They can also be attributed to an irregular sleep schedule and can be a side effect of medications.

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Can you stop having nightmares? 

Experts say the best way to prevent nightmares is having a healthy sleep schedule and taking steps to wind down, such as a hot shower, a warm cup of tea or milk, piecing a jigsaw puzzle together, or reading a book.