We, Women, Need More Sleep Than Men Because Our Brains Work Harder – Science Says So!

Written by Jyotsana Rao, BE  • 

Finally, science has revealed something new that is totally in our favor. Yes, you read that right. According to research by the well-known Professor and Director of the Sleep Research Centre, University of Loughborough, Dr. Jim Horne, women need more sleep as compared to men.

We, Women, Need More Sleep Than Men Because Our Brains Work Harder
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He has even mentioned the same in his book “A Journey Through The Science Of Sleep.” You might be wondering what the reason behind this is, right? Well, after a lot of research, this is what Dr. Jim Horne stated in his book:

“For women, poor sleep is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress and greater feelings of hostility, depression, and anger,” and “These feelings were not associated with the same degree of sleep disruption in men.”

He further added, “One of the major functions of sleep is to allow the brain to recover and repair itself. 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.”

“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. Women tend to multitask – they do lots at once and are flexible – and so they use more of their actual brain than men do. Because of that, their sleep need is greater.”

Now, you might be wondering what about those men who have difficult jobs and who do multitasking as well. So, here is the answer –

“A man who has a complex job that involves a lot of decision-making and lateral thinking may also need more sleep than the average male – though probably still not as much as a woman.”

“This is because women’s brains are wired differently from men’s and are more complex, so their sleep need will be slightly greater. The average is 20 minutes more, but some women may need slightly more or less than this.”

Thus, since a woman’s brain is more complex as compared to a man’s, it takes more time to rest it, and the best way to do so is to have a sound sleep.

If you are one of those women who have a hard time sleeping, these tips might help you.

1. Try To Maintain A Proper Sleep Cycle.

Try To Maintain A Proper Sleep Cycle
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By maintaining a proper sleep cycle, we mean try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. This is the best way to set your body’s internal clock and optimize your sleep schedule. To select a proper time to go to bed, analyze for 3-4 days and check what time you start feeling sleepy. Try to sleep at that particular time daily. To calculate the time you must get up, do not set the alarm for these 3-4 days. Let your body get up naturally and check the time. If it is consistent, you won’t need an alarm clock ever again (until and unless you have to get up early).

2. Be Careful About Napping.

Be Careful About Napping
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Though napping is a very good way to stay fresh the whole day, it can play a negative role too. If you face trouble sleeping at night, avoid taking naps during the day.

3. Avoid Using Phones Or Other Bright Screens An Hour Before Your Sleeping Time.

I know this one is a bit difficult, but it really helps a lot. The reason behind it is the light emitted by these digital devices can disrupt your sleep and interfere with your sleeping pattern.

4. Cut Down On Your Caffeine Intake.

Cut Down On Your Caffeine Intake
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We all love coffee, and it is something anyone can get addicted to. But, if you have trouble sleeping, you must limit your caffeine intake with immediate effect. Giving it up right away might be a bit difficult, so you can try not having it 5-6 hours before your bedtime. Soon, you will notice an improvement in your sleeping pattern.

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption.

There are many people, especially the elderly, who rely on a glass of wine or alcohol to help them sleep. But let me tell you, this is totally misleading. Though it helps you fall asleep within a short period of time, one fact that we are unaware of is that alcohol consumption alters your sleep pattern and even affects the quality of your sleep. You fall asleep after drinking alcohol, but after a few hours, when the alcohol level starts dropping in your body, it causes agitation, and you wake up automatically. This way, your sleep remains incomplete.

6. Start Working Out For A Change.

Including a workout session in your daily regimen will help you deal with insomnia. It will also help you fight depression and anxiety since exercising gives a psychological boost. It strengthens the circadian rhythms in the body and thereby helps you fall asleep. Many polls have even proved that people who exercise regularly report better quality sleep than those who do not exercise.

7. Temperature Matters A Lot.

Temperature Matters A Lot
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We are not asking you to convert your room to the Arctic circle. But yes, a cool room helps you sleep better. Look for the perfect temperature that helps you sleep.

So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to go to bed, ladies!

We hope you enjoyed reading the article. Share your views in the comments section below.

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