Financial Insomnia: Restlessness Among Investors is Palpable
A surge in US tariffs has triggered investor unrest and sleepless nights – experts reveal how to protect your portfolio and regain control.
Google Trends shows a 24 percent spike in searches for «financial insomnia» from the past year, reaching a record high this month, as retail investors scramble to make sense of the volatility.
Portfolios heavily exposed to imports and global supply chains, especially tech and retail, are taking the biggest hits. Domestic-focused stocks like utilities and consumer staples are emerging as safer bets in the tariff fallout.
Anxious Investors
Tariff-driven volatility pushes anxious investors toward alternative strategies like options and futures trading. A practical, step-by-step recovery plan can help investors regain control and reduce stress amid ongoing market swings.
With Trump’s sweeping tariffs hitting global trade harder than ever, Americans aren’t just losing money, they’re losing sleep. Dubbed «financial insomnia,» the growing restlessness among investors is palpable, with financial advisors across the country reporting a spike in sleepless, anxious clients concerned about market volatility.
What’s Causing the Panic?
Donald Trump’s latest tariff surge, now up to 145 percent on Chinese imports and 25 percent on most goods from Canada and Mexico, has pushed the average US tariff rate to its highest level in over a century (27 percent). While the administration calls it a «trade rebalance,» markets are rattled and investors are losing sleep.
«Tariff spikes consistently lead to market pullbacks and heightened anxiety,» says Fei Chen, CEO of Intellectia AI. «Investors need clarity, not panic, to navigate moments like this.»
What Investors Can Do Now
- Diversify across asset classes: stocks, bonds, commodities, and real estate.
- Pivot to US-focused companies with minimal import exposure.
- Use options or futures to hedge against short-term volatility.
- Avoid panic selling—set stop-loss orders and stick to your plan.
- Reassess your risk tolerance and rebalance accordingly.
«And remember, market storms don’t last forever. Moments like these often create once-in-a-decade opportunities. But only for those who are prepared, not panicked,» Fei adds.
