Why women need more sleep than men
Did you know that women actually need more sleep than men?
For years, scientists and medical professionals have stressed the importance of sleep for living a happy and healthy life.
Although sleep is essential for everyone, the amount we need varies from person to person.
Experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, but research shows that, on average, women still need more sleep than men.
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Women also report feeling more tired than men, and this is not just in their heads.
Studies suggest that women may require about 11 to 20 minutes more sleep than men.
"For most adults, the average sleep need is seven to nine hours, but everybody's sleep need is different," says sleep disorders specialist Michelle Drerup.
"When it comes to sleep and your health, every minute counts."
Women's need for more sleep is linked to a higher mental load, emotional processing, and greater cognitive demands, according to a 2016 study published in Chronobiology International.
"Women typically have more issues affecting their sleep, so they may need slightly more of it to make up for disrupted or poor-quality sleep," Dr. Drerup explains.
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Women's brains reportedly activate more regions during everyday tasks such as planning, emotional regulation, and communication.
Why women need more sleep
1. Cognitive load and mental fatigue
Women often process more information at once, managing multiple tasks and emotions simultaneously. This drains cognitive resources more quickly and increases the need for restorative sleep.
2. Hormonal cycles and mood
Psychological stress during menstrual phases, pregnancy, and menopause often interacts with hormones such as progesterone and oestrogen. These fluctuations impact both sleep quality and emotional balance, making rest more fragmented.
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3. Sleep disorders and anxiety
Insomnia and restless leg syndrome are more common in women, both of which are linked to higher rates of anxiety and rumination, both of which affect falling and staying asleep.
4. Emotional processing at night
Research shows that women spend more time in REM sleep, the stage associated with emotional memory processing. While this supports resilience and empathy, it also increases the brain’s need for nightly recovery.
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