Sleeping Beauty or Sleeping Excess? Debunking the 10-Hour Sleep Myth for Women on TikTok

Looking into it, you’ll find varied opinions and studies. Some suggest women might need more sleep than men, but too much sleep could also risk health problems like cardiovascular disease and depression. And remember, not all sleep is equal. The quality, especially the REM stage, is crucial for our health.

The discussion goes beyond just getting enough sleep. It includes the risks of not sleeping enough, like feeling unfocused or long-term health issues, and debates around sleep aids, each with its own pros and cons.

In this article, we’re exploring the intricate world of sleep, examining those gender-specific claims, and how digital trends shape our sleep perceptions. We aim to navigate through the science and social media buzz to guide you in perfecting your sleep routine.

Ready to embark on this journey through sleep, gender, and health in our digital age? 

Let's get started.

Gender Differences in Sleep Needs

How true are the claims that women need more sleep than men? Those influencers argue that women juggle a lot and carry a bigger load of duties, leading to mental exhaustion. Plus, they question past studies because they mostly focus on men, leaving women's experiences out of the picture.

Biological Explanations and Hormonal Considerations

Even though we can't confirm women need ten hours specifically, there is plenty of evidence that women's sleeping needs are different from men. 

First, women's hormonal cycle is one. Multiple studies show that fluctuating hormones associated with menstruation, pregnancy and menopause affect women's sleep quality.

Estrogen and progesterone govern the different phases of women's menstrual cycle, and both of these hormones affect sleep. For instance, during the first half of the cycle, estrogen levels are high and promote REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is necessary for learning and memory consolidation. The second half of the cycle has progesterone rising with estrogen decreasing. This combination may trigger mood swings, anxiety, and insomnia in some women.

Different CIrcadian Cycle and Modern Lifestyle

Studies show that women have a slightly different circadian cycle than men. In general, women tend to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier due to a natural tendency in their body clock.

However, with the modern lifestyle, it's hard for women to follow that pattern, especially if they're married and have kids.

Their partner's sleeping schedule, work hours or children's sleep patterns could interfere with their own. Survey studies point out that women with male spouse tend to lose sleep more often because men have a higher tendency to snore and toss around during the night. No wonder some women need those extra hours to make up for lost sleep.

Higher Insomnia Tendency

Women tend to suffer more often from sleep disruption than men. Survey studies point out that teenage girls have a higher tendency to suffer from insomnia and less sleep than boys. Adult women also suffer the same fate, reporting twice the tendency to suffer from insomnia than men.

Researchers suggest that the differences in women's brain structure and hormones, especially estrogen, may highly be related to their higher risk of insomnia along with various mood disorders.

Environmental Influences and Biological Differences

Another factor contributing to poorer sleep quality in women is their heightened sensitivity to bright light during sleep. Research studies suggest that women's greater light sensitivity may have to do with the phase-advancing effects of bright morning light.

Women's hearing is also more sensitive to noise than men's. Loud sounds can disrupt sleep, making it harder for women to stay asleep and have a restful night.

Bell Curve of Sleep Benefits and Risks

We all agree that lack of sleep is terrible for our health. However, what is the extent of damage you will suffer from not getting enough sleep? Let's first take a look at short term consequences.

Insulin Resistance and Cognitive Impairment

According to the latest research, sleep acts as a toxin cleanser for our brain. When we're in stage IV sleep (also known as REM sleep), the slow brain waves act as pumps to flush fluid through our dense brain tissue and remove the toxins from our brain.

Please create an image similar to the feature image on this page: https://easydetox.io/blogs/resources/how-to-clean-your-brain-of-toxins. But change it to our brand’s style.

Basically, you can think of the REM cycle as a dishwasher for our brain. Just the disturbance during the cycle is like stopping your dishwasher mid-cleaning. The toxins accumulate, and your dishes remain dirty. No wonder you would feel groggy the next day.

If you think that a cup of coffee can solve that problem, you'll have to think again. Research studies have found that just one night of sleep disturbance can increase your insulin resistance. Animal model studies suggest that the effect is parallel to 6 months of high-fat diet. With repeated sleep deprivation, the risk of developing cognitive impairment increases as well.

Problem With Too Much Sleep

Although there are numerous campaigns and health initiatives rightly focused on the dangers of sleep deprivation, there is an equally important but less discussed concern: excessive sleep.

Oversleeping, or hypersomnia, can be just as detrimental to health as sleeping too little. Studies indicate that oversleeping more than 9 hours can also make you more groggy. It also increases your risk of developing depression, cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and a host of other health issues.

While some of the causes are still unknown, scientists see a correlation between people who oversleep and suffering from other chronic health conditions, such as sleep disorders, chronic pain, and various mood disorders. If you find that you're always tired even after getting enough sleep, it's best to consult a doctor for possible underlying health conditions.

Balancing Sleep Duration

We are all different, and our needs are unique. According to genetic studies, our genes have a big role in determining whether we are morning larks or night owls, and the amount of sleep we need.

So, if you can't follow the billionaire rule of waking up at 4 am or need only 4 hours of sleep like Martha Stewart, don't feel guilty. Listen to your body and find what works for you.

Once you find your sweet spot for sleep duration, stick to a consistent sleeping schedule, and prioritize good sleep hygiene practices.

Bottom Line

Sleep has a lot of healing powers. It helps us stay mentally sharp, supports physical health and well-being, and improves our quality of life. Even though early sleep studies may have focused on men, researchers are now starting to understand the unique sleep needs and challenges faced by women and girls.

Insert an image of a woman sleeping with a smile.

Even though the influencers have good intentions to highlight the importance of getting enough sleep, their claims may be misleading. It's important to understand that sleep is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and finding the right balance may take some trial and error.

The key is to listen to your body, prioritize good sleep habits, and consult with a healthcare professional if necessary. And the "I'll catch up on sleep over the weekend or the holidays" mentality is not a sustainable solution.

Remember the dishwasher analogy? Our brain needs to be cleaned every night, not just on weekends. So let's prioritize good sleep and take care of our overall health in the long run.

Sweet dreams!

References

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