Chandigarh, Sept 20: When it comes to sleep, science suggests that women may need more rest than men — and not because they are weaker or less resilient. In fact, researchers argue the opposite: women’s brains are often busier, their bodies shoulder a wider range of responsibilities, and their sleep cycles are more vulnerable to disruption. “Sleep is not a luxury, it is a biological necessity,” said Dr. Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience at Oxford University. “And for women, the demand is greater than for men, both physiologically and socially.”
Several studies in the past decade have found that women need an average of 20–30 minutes more sleep per night than men. The difference may sound small, but it carries weight when accumulated over months and years. “The female brain tends to multitask more during the day, engaging multiple regions at once,” explained Dr. Jim Horne, a British sleep researcher. “That level of cognitive activity requires more recovery time during sleep.”
Women’s hormonal cycles also play a significant role. The fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone through menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause are known to disrupt sleep architecture. “Hormones are powerful regulators of sleep,” noted Dr. Fiona Baker, director of the Human Sleep Research Program at SRI International. “They influence how deeply we rest, how often we wake, and how refreshed we feel the next morning.”
Beyond biology, gender roles and expectations add another layer to the sleep deficit. Women, especially in societies where caregiving falls disproportionately on them, often juggle paid work with domestic responsibilities. “It’s the classic second shift,” said sociologist Arlie Hochschild, referring to the household and childcare work women perform after their official workday ends. “That inevitably cuts into their rest.”
Mothers of young children, in particular, report significantly worse sleep quality than fathers. “I sleep like a mom,” quipped one 34-year-old mother of two in New Delhi. “Which basically means I don’t sleep unless everyone else is safe and settled.” Studies confirm her words: women with children under five lose an average of 25 minutes of sleep per night compared to men in the same households.
The cost of ignoring women’s higher sleep need is not trivial. Research has linked insufficient rest in women to higher risks of depression, anxiety, weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and even infertility. “We see strong associations between sleep deprivation and mood disorders, and women are already nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression,” said Dr. Baker. “Poor sleep amplifies those risks.”
Metabolic health is also affected. “When women cut their sleep short, their bodies respond with increased inflammation and insulin resistance,” said Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist known as “The Sleep Doctor.” “That puts them at greater risk for type 2 diabetes and heart problems.”
Despite the mounting evidence, many women feel guilty for prioritizing rest. “Sleep is often dismissed as laziness, especially for women who are expected to be endlessly productive and self-sacrificing,” said journalist Arianna Huffington, whose book The Sleep Revolution sparked global conversations about rest. “We need to reframe sleep as a form of leadership, strength, and self-care.”
Women themselves often minimize their exhaustion. “I’ll catch up later” is a common refrain, though later rarely comes. “We have glorified sleeplessness as a badge of honor,” said Dr. Foster. “But the data shows that women, in particular, pay a steep price for this cultural myth of resilience.”
Experts suggest practical steps to address the gender gap in sleep. Employers could design family-friendly schedules, governments could expand parental leave policies, and households could share caregiving more equitably. “Sleep equality is not just about hours on the pillow,” said Hochschild. “It’s about social structures that allow women to truly rest.”
On a personal level, doctors advise women to respect their body’s signals. “Listen to your fatigue,” urged Dr. Breus. “If your body is telling you it needs more, don’t override it with caffeine and determination. That’s not sustainable.”
Some women are beginning to reclaim sleep as a form of empowerment. “I no longer apologize for going to bed early,” said a 42-year-old teacher in Mumbai. “For years, I tried to be everything for everyone, and I broke down. Now I see rest as my right, not a reward.”
The growing body of research makes one thing clear: women don’t simply want more sleep — they need it. And the sooner society recognizes and supports that, the healthier, happier, and more productive everyone will be. “When women sleep well, entire families and communities benefit,” Dr. Baker reminded. “It’s time we stopped treating women’s rest as optional.”
