Women Need More Sleep than Men – But Aren’t Getting It
A leading British sleep expert says that the average woman needs more sleep than her male counterparts does. Professor Jim Horne, the author of a brand-new research paper and director of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, claims that women need 20 minutes more sleep per night to be at their peak during the day. Furthermore, he says most women are not getting the sleep they require.
According to Professor Horne’s research, women need more sleep because they tend to multi-task throughout the day, whereas men have a tendency to focus their attentions on one project at a time. Multi-tasking requires more work by the brain, which, in turn, creates the need for more sleep at the end of the day.
“During deep sleep, the cortex – the part of the brain responsible for thought memory, language and so on – disengages from the senses and goes into recovery mode,” Professor Horne told the Daily Mail. “The more of your brain you use during the day, the more of it that needs to recover and, consequently, the more sleep you need.”
Horne went on to explain that the female brain is wired differently than the male brain; it tends to be more complex in its operation. This may also contribute to why women needed more sleep than men do.
4 Reasons Women Do Not Sleep Enough
Prof Horne is quick to point out that sleep needs among individual men and women vary considerably. In other words, the general rule may be that women require 20 minutes more sleep every night, but requirements differ from one individual to the next. As for why women are not getting enough sleep, the Sleep Foundation offers four reasons:
- Worry – Women are more likely to suffer insomnia due to worrying about problems. With so much going through their minds, women have a hard time shutting down at the end of the day. This sort of insomnia is a double-edged sword in that the stress causing it can also lead to other health problems.
- Partners – Women who sleep with male partners are more likely to wake up when those partners move or shift position. Why? Because men tend to be larger and heavier. Their motion is often enough to cause their female partners to wake up. The same thing happens when you have a snoring partner.
- Pregnancy – The later stages of pregnancy can be especially uncomfortable when women are trying to sleep. Between the extra weight and the position of the baby, getting enough restful sleep can be challenging.
- Menopause – Women going through menopause may frequently lose sleep due to hot flushes and other symptoms. The good news in this regard is that the symptoms are only temporary. At some point, they subside to the degree that they no longer interrupt sleep.
There are undoubtedly other reasons women are not getting the amount of sleep they should. What is important to note is that sleep is essential to a healthy body and mind. Experts recommend a minimum 7 to 8 hours of sleep nightly for the average adult. Make sure you are getting enough sleep on a consistent basis; if you are not, speak to your doctor or a sleep specialist.
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