EL PASO, Texas -- Many Americans are having trouble sleeping these days and for many it's because of the slumping economy. According to the National Sleep Foundation, prescription for sleep medications are at a record high, topping 56 million in 2008 which is up 54 percent since 2004. The reports also shows one- third of Americans are losing sleep over concerns about their personal finances or the economy.

Sleep experts in El Paso are noticing the trend. "If the economy is not doing well and you lose your job and your are not making money, it's going to create stress for you without any question and any stress will affect your sleep," said Dr. Gonzalo Diaz, sleep disorder specialist with the El Paso Sleep Center.

Diaz said that can lead to what he calls a "vicious cycle." What started as not being able to sleep because of financial stress, then leads to a lack of concentration and not being able to handle stress.

"The more sleep deprived you are, the more problems you have with stress. You'll have more anxiety, you can even have panic attacks from the lack of sleep," said Diaz. He added that you can't avoid stress, instead the key is to learn how to deal with it. Sleep experts suggests taking a 15 to 20 minute nap around noon because that's when your body naturally wants to recharge. Avoid caffeine, try to go to bed at the same time each night and exercise.

"The key is to exercise. Even if you don't feel like it, the effort is to start. When you start doing the exercise you are going to sleep better the next night," said Diaz.

After all getting a full eight hours of restful sleep is just what the doctor ordered.