Last Updated on February 7, 2023
It’s been known for ages that women and men have different physical needs, and one critical area where the sexes differ is their need for sleep. As a recent study conducted by England’s Loughborough University Sleep Research Center has confirmed, women need more sleep than men do. Why? Because the brains of women tend to work harder during waking hours.
The study, which was conducted on a sample of 210 middle-aged men and women, indicated that without extra sleep, women’s brains have a harder time repairing and recovering from the day. Sleep deprived women were also found to be more prone to becoming hostile, angry, depressed, and psychologically distressed compared to men who had gotten the same amount of rest. In short, women’s brains take longer to wind down and disengage from everything they deal with on a daily basis.
This is no slight towards men, but these results are hardly surprising. Women often act as caretakers, household earners, plus they are typically the nurturers of their family and friends. Men can do all of these things just as well as women do, but our society doesn’t place that expectation on them. As a result of having a fuller plate, women become more physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted as the day wears on. When women are pregnant or nursing, the need for sleep increases even more.
The Science Behind The Results
It was discovered years ago that insomnia is more common in women than men, and women suffer more physically and mentally when they lack sleep. This is due primarily to the fact that women undergo more hormonal changes throughout their lifetimes, from puberty through the end-of-life stages. Throw the raging hormones of pre and post-pregnancy – not to mention the physical discomforts – into the equation, and it becomes clear why so many women have trouble getting rest. Other conditions that women suffer from more often than men include anxiety, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression. Many scientists think that lack of sleep can also contribute to the development of these and other illnesses in women.
1. Sleep And Women’s Quality Of Life
So, how much extra sleep do women need? The study revealed that as little as 20 extra minutes of rest each night can greatly benefit women. If you doubt that squeezing in an extra 20 minutes of sleep will do much good, consider these factors.
2. Many Women Don’t Get Enough Sleep
3. Sleep Is Restorative
4. Sleep Deprivation And Weight Gain
Men tend to lose weight more easily than women, and that’s especially true of women who don’t get adequate rest. There’s also a correlation between obesity and insomnia, as overweight and obese women are less likely to get enough sleep each night. Cortisol, the stress hormone that the brain releases in greater quantities when it’s sleep-deprived, has a role in weight gain. The more cortisol that’s released, the higher one’s appetite tends to be — it’s definitely a vicious cycle. Ghrelin is another hormone that the body releases more of when it is tired. By contrast, the production of leptin, a hormone that decreases the appetite, is slowed down when women don’t get enough nightly rest.
5. Rest Prevents Stress
If you find that you are unable to maintain a steady sleep pattern, it’s best to talk to your doctor. Sleep deprivation is the cause of many chronic illnesses, both physical and mental, and your hormones may be off-balance due to not getting enough rest for years on end.
Lindsay is a contributor and the senior editor of all content posted on this site. She is in this role due to her somewhat unrivaled expertise through previous retail experience in the mattress and bedding industry.