Why are most women sleep-deprived?

Social media has reported that more women than men use social media, and one study found that people who check social media throughout the day are three times more likely to experience sleep disruption. The cause may be the blue light emitted by various devices used for social media. The eye has sensors called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, also known as ipRGCs, that send signals to circadian rhythms when there is a slight change in light.

When they sense blue light, the body prevents the pineal gland from producing melatonin, which makes people feel sleepy. Not only does wandering around social media before bedtime prevents sleep due to the blue light emitted by electronic devices, but the emotional and social engagement involved also makes it difficult to fall asleep. Interacting with social media promotes emotional cognition and mental arousal, which keeps the brain going and makes it difficult to fall asleep.

Another source of sleep problems faced by biological women is their reproductive system and the hormones that fluctuate in their reproductive system. Symptoms that make it difficult for women to sleep through the night can be cramps, mood changes, and nausea, just to name a few, which become increasingly common during certain phases of the menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy and menopause. As pregnancy and menopause progress, women may also experience hot flashes (a temporary increase in body temperature), which may cause them to wake up during the night.

Mental health Another reason for women's lack of sleep is that women are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression compared to men. It has been found that women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. The aforementioned hormonal imbalances that women may sometimes experience during pregnancy or menopause also contribute to an increased risk of depression. In addition, seasonal affective disorder (SAD syndrome) or seasonal depression that occurs when the skies are dark and gloomy affects women four times more than men.

Sleep disorders In addition to more mental health problems, women, especially younger women, are more likely to face sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorder they encounter is insomnia, with 20 percent of women saying they struggle with excessive sleepiness and fatigue. In a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, it was noted that the rate of insomnia was 9 percent higher among women than men.

Sleep pain Finally, what may affect women's sleep deprivation is the pain experienced while sleeping. One study found that women were 10 percent more likely to suffer from nighttime pain. In addition, a quarter of women were found to experience nighttime pain three or more days a week. The pain experienced included migraines, arthritis, heartburn, and more.

So women need to sleep twice as much as men to be enough. We should not only ensure sufficient sleep time, but also ensure good sleep quality, so that after the body gets sufficient rest and recovery, the maintenance of the skin can also play a great role in slowing down the speed of aging.