According to research, it is possible that women might need more sleep than men. But what is the explanation? How long should women sleep? If you want to know why women need more sleep, this post is perfect for you.
Women are Naturally Multi-Taskers
You would often hear people say that women are multi-taskers. And that is true. You see, women generally use their brains more than men as if we are hard-wired to multi-task. This requires more brain function and can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Having said that, getting more sleep might be necessary to recover.
Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety
Another reason why females must sleep more is that they are prone to suffer from insomnia. According to studies, women are 40% more likely to have this condition.
In addition, we are twice as much to experience depression and anxiety.
Hormones and Monthly Cycle
Our hormones can also be blamed for our need for longer sleep. You see, our hormones can greatly affect our sleep-wake cycles. As we all know, we experience hormonal changes every month, which can be associated with why longer sleep is a must. Allow us to explain this further.
During our monthly period, more than 30% experience headaches and cramps. With this, they are likely to feel daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and tiredness.
Also, when a woman becomes pregnant, one might develop restless legs syndrome. This makes it harder to fall asleep. Now, after giving birth, lack of sleep becomes more apparent, considering that most mothers would need to attend to their newborn’s needs.
And lastly, during the menopausal stage, more than 85% experience hot flashes. It’s when women suddenly wake up sweaty, and this interrupts their sleep. In fact, many women develop sleep apnea as they go through the menopausal stage.
Sleep Apnea, for those who are not familiar, is a condition wherein there are pauses in one’s breathing while asleep. This could essentially affect the quality of sleep even if you don’t wake up.
Women vs Men, Quality of Sleep
In general, women’s sleep, in terms of quality, might be lower than men’s. It could be associated with how we spend our entire day for our jobs, unpaid responsibilities, and even how we take care of our families. In most cases, women need to wake up earlier to attend to the needs of the family.
How Much Sleep Do Women Need?
Based on experts’ opinion, women might need as little as 20 extra minutes of sleep. That’s a decent power nap, and you should take advantage of it.
Women also sleep faster than men. That could also be an indication that we are more tired than them.
Do You Need More Sleep?
As we are constantly pointing out, a good amount of sleep is beneficial for one’s health and could improve your daily performance. The best way to determine if you had enough sleep or if you need more is to evaluate yourself after waking up.
Do you feel refreshed and rejuvenated? Or do you feel sluggish?
For those who are having trouble sleeping, it is best that you form a regular exercise habit. In addition, you should stay away from caffeine and alcohol. These are quite basic, but we realize that many people are not following it, thereby causing a lack of sleep.
Best Sleeping Aids for Ladies
With all the external factors and responsibilities we have, it can be a challenge to get a good sleep. And that is why we are listing a couple of items that can help you rest the best possible way at night.
LectroFan Premium White Noise Sound
Check the latest price on Amazon.
When you get this noise machine, you will enjoy ten fan sounds and ten ambient noise variations. It’s not just for getting quality sleep. You can even use this if you want to focus on your daily task. It has a modern look which goes well with most people today searching for contemporary pieces for their homes.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Check the latest price on Amazon.
If you want to block all the noise, this product is made for you. What’s amazing is that it can last for 20 hours. That’s more than enough for your sleeping needs. And since it’s made by a reputable company, you know that this could last you years. It doesn’t matter if you are not tech-savvy. The design is intuitive, and we bet you can understand its features right away.
Let’s Round It Up, Why Women Need More Sleep?
If you are still not convinced that women need more time to sleep, we are going to reiterate the reasons here.
It’s the Food For Our Brains
It’s already proven that our brains work harder than men’s, and sleep is considered food for the brain. When you rest, your mental abilities stay sharp. This can also help you multi-task.
To Balance Our Emotions
Admit it. We can be a bit emotional. And just so you know, poor sleep is associated with stress and feelings of hostility. The thing is, these same feelings are not seen in men when they lack sleep.
To Stay Fit and Healthy
When you get the right amount of sleep, you tend to manage your appetite more. This can help you avoid unwanted and unnecessary weight gain. Plus, you can also lower the risk of having hypertension and heart ailments.
We suggest that you also try to learn yoga or meditation. It’s a great physical activity and could also target your mental health.
If you want to learn more, watch this brief video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqsuru2aYRk
Conclusion
Regardless of your gender or age, you need to get the right amount and quality of sleep. It’s one of the best ways to stay in shape and to maintain optimal health.
While sleeping aids are always available, there might be times that these won’t work. In such cases, meeting with sleep experts or doctors is necessary. That way, you can be provided with the right types of treatment.
To date, there are products such as gummies for sleeping. While these are generally safe, ask your doctor first if you can take it.
