New Delhi, March 21 (IANS). An important and interesting fact has emerged from many studies conducted around the world that there is a clear difference in the sleep of women and men, which is being called “gender sleep gap”. It is not just a matter of the quantity of sleep, but also of its quality and the mental effects associated with it.
According to a 2017 study, only 48 percent of mothers under 45 get at least 7 hours of sleep a day, compared to 62 percent of women without children. This makes it clear that motherhood has a deep impact on women’s sleep.
Similarly, a global report of ‘Sleep Cycle’ in 2025 found that on average, 57 percent women wake up with a normal mood, which is about three points less than men. This difference may seem small, but it points to chronic sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep.
Women’s sleep is often interrupted and they get less deep sleep, due to which the body and mind do not get complete rest. A major reason behind this is hormonal changes occurring at different stages of life, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, which affect sleep patterns. Along with this, social reasons are also equally important. Taking care of family and children, balancing home and work, and constant mental pressure further impair women’s sleep.
Experts believe that women’s brains do more multitasking and emotional processing throughout the day, due to which they need more sleep than men for recovery. But when this need is not fulfilled, its impact is clearly visible on their physical and mental health.
Chronic lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, irritability, stress, hormonal imbalance and increased risk of heart and metabolic diseases in women. In such a situation, it is very important to understand the “gender sleep gap” and increase awareness to reduce it, because good sleep is not just rest but the foundation of better health.
–IANS
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