WOMAN AND SLEEP

Sleep is a basic need as important for good health as diet and exercise. When we sleep our bodies rest but our brain is active. Sleep lays the groundwork for a productive day ahead. Of the women who responded to the poll, 60% say they only get a good night's sleep a few nights a week or less, 67% say they frequently experience a sleep problem and 43% say that daytime sleepiness interferes with their daily activities. So, what's keeping women from getting the sleep they need? According to poll findings, a variety of factors conspire to come between women and their sleep, including hormones, housework and caring for family members. Work-related issues are also a part of the picture since 48% of adult women are in the workforce, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The poll also showed that the choices women make have an impact on their sleep. For example, instead of getting more sleep:

• 87% of women are watching television in the hour before going to bed;


• 36% are on the Internet, and


• 21% are doing work related to their job at least a few nights a week

Getting the right amount of sleep is vital, but just as important is the quality of your sleep. Biological conditions unique to women, like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause, can affect how well a woman sleeps. This is because the changing levels of hormones that a woman experiences throughout the month and over her lifetime, like estrogen and progesterone, have an impact on sleep. Understanding the effects of these hormones, environmental factors and lifestyle habits can help women enjoy a good night’s sleep. Find more information on “Women & Sleep” at www.sleepfoundation.org