Why Women Need More Sleep Than Men ? The Science Behind the Gender Sleep Gap

Women needs 20 minutes more sleep than men – Research says

Dear woman,

Switch off your mind and get some sleep.

Women need more sleep than men – Research

Research says, “Women needs 20 minutes more sleep than men”.

Engrossed with multiple responsibilities, the lady of the house often neglects the calls of her own body. This is no good news!

Women need more sleep than men – An anecdote!

A live exemplar of this scenario was my 50-year-old patient Pavitra. She was a simple private school teacher but with a golden cape.

Her jam-packed schedule and insane routine were not possible without some real superpowers. Her day starts even before the sun rises and the endless grill continues till the clock turns 11 at night. 

Even at the age of 50, she whips her magic wand being an angel to her children, assistant to her husband and a nurse to her aged father-in-law. The only woman of the house, perhaps a superwoman, she did everything from cleaning, washing, cooking to teaching young minds and building a better world.

Engrossed in her house chores and class duties, she has often skipped her meals and suppressed her quench to sip some water. In all these hullabaloos she could bargain only for 5 hours of sleep a day.

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Lack of sleep broke her body!

Pavitra came to me and narrated her story of unending pain and endless labour. She complained of constant tiredness, headaches, restlessness and a state of feeling sad and drained. She said, “Doctor, I am in my fifties but I feel what my mother felt at seventy”.

With pain in her cracking voice and tears lining her eyes she told me that her soul has given up and soon her body will reciprocate that.

I could understand her pain. We strain the woman in our lives with so many responsibilities, taking her for granted, thinking it’s her duty, often assuming she is born with another golden set of hands and that she is programmed that way, that there comes a point where she shatters.

Also Read: Sleeping more on weekends is not an answer for sleep loss during the week

Women need more sleep than men – The logical reasoning

Women are not born with special powers or with extra senses; they are as human as anyone else and so expecting a one-man show from her is simply putting her through a hell of pain and sufferings. 

Dear women, learn to let go! 

Also, it is important for women to learn to let go.

The house may not look perfect. That little corner nobody can see may stay dirty. The food may not taste the world’s best. The chores may get done a bit late. Put the pressure off your shoulder!

It’s ok to not be a perfectionist at everything!

I asked her to appoint a maid and delegate household work because that little dirt under the sofa does not matter as much as the stress slowly shutting your organs. Make your priorities right. 

3 Health Tips every woman must follow: 

1. Make sure to drink at least 3 litres of water daily.
2. Eat a balanced diet right on time.
3. Include an egg in your daily diet to fulfill your energy and nutrient requirement.

Check out these 10 amazing Health tips you need to try today to fall asleep

In Prativa’s case I asked her to cut slack on your school timings as the classes get over at 2 PM and you sit there idle till 4 PM. Request the principal or take leave once in a while to steal some time of rest and self-care.

Women need more sleep than men – Experts Speak

Dr. Jim Horne, a leading expert in sleep science was quoted that on average women need twenty more minutes of sleep than men. 

Women suffer from sleep deprivation in different phases throughout her life. From menstruation to pregnancy to childbirth to menopause. In fact, research proved that women are more likely to suffer from sleep deprivation and sleep-related issues than men.

Another study at the Loughborough University U.K. based Sleep Research Center concurs with this claim. It states that women do use their brains more than men and hence it needs more rest than men.

The stereotypical depiction of a grumpy housewife who often looks irritated, unhappy and irked is mainly because of issues related to sleep deprivation.

Happy healing!

Pavitra followed all my instructions religiously supported by the health supplements I prescribed her and within two months her life changed completely!