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Sleep in the Newzzz... |
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Women, Sleep and Health The 2007 Sleep in America poll investigated how sleep habits change throughout a woman’s life and how sleep is affected by lifestyle. As such, the poll looked at the following six segments of women to gauge how women’s sleep patterns change and are affected by lifestyle. Working, Single Women spend the least amount of time in bed, generally less than six hours per night and one-half (54%) of the women in this category say they wake up feeling un-refreshed at least a few days each week. Despite this, 70% of working, single women say that they just accept it and keep going when they are sleepy during the day. In addition, working, single women are also very likely to use caffeinated beverages when sleepy during the day (47%), consuming an average of 3.1 cups/cans per day. About one-third say they use the weekends to try to catch up on their sleep (31%) and these women are likely to spend time with their friends in the hour before going to bed (27%). Working, married women with no children or grown children (Empty Nesters) report getting better sleep than most groups, with 44% saying they get a good night’s sleep every night or almost every night, despite the fact that they report being in bed less than seven hours per night on average. Empty Nesters report a low frequency of sleep problems (15%), but nearly one-half report that they do not have enough time for sleep (46%) or exercise (47%), and 38% say they don’t have sex because they are too sleepy or run out of time. Stay-at-Home Moms (SAHMs) report that they rarely get a good night’s sleep, despite the fact that 61% report that they spend 8 or more hours in bed each night and more than one-half (57%) report napping at least once per week. Three-quarters (74%) of women in this category say they are experiencing symptoms of insomnia, with 59% saying they wake up feeling un-refreshed in the morning and 56% reporting that they wake frequently during the night. This segment of women is most likely to report sleeping with an infant or child, which likely accounts for many sleep disturbances throughout the night. Lack of sleep has a big impact on SAHMs who say they are unable to do leisure activities (43%) and/or have sex with their partner (39%) because they are too tired or ran out of time in the day. SAHMs report that in the hour before going to bed, they are completing household chores (71%) and/or doing activities with their children (71%). Many women today choose to work part-time while raising their children. Part-time Working Moms say they are sleeping well and one-half (50%) report typically being in bed for more than 8 hours per night. Interestingly, these women are among the least likely to be told by their doctor that they have a sleep problem (16%) and this segment of women are less likely to say they are unable to do things because they run out of time or are too tired. Like other women, Part-time Working Moms also say they accept it and keep going when tired during the day (68%), but they frequently use napping (60% taking at least one nap per week) and caffeinated beverages to cope (40%). In the hour before going to bed, the majority report watching television (88%). Women who are married, with school-aged children and working full-time (Briefcases with Backpacks) report being in bed less than 6 hours per night on weeknights and are less likely to nap. Women in this segment are most likely to report symptoms of insomnia with more than one-half (56%) saying they often wake up feeling unrefreshed and one-half (54%) saying they frequently wake up during the night. 70% of women say they just accept it and keep going when they are sleepy during the day. These women are the most likely segment to use caffeinated beverages when sleepy during the day (56%), consuming an average of 2.7 cups/cans per day. Women in this group are most likely to drive drowsy (35%) and to feel that they don’t have time for the following: sleep (60%), exercise (60%), spending time with family and friends (52%), leisure activities (49%) and have sex with their partner (44%). This segment of women is also most likely to report mood disturbances, specifically being bothered or troubled by worrying too much about things (37%). After going through one or more of these life phases, women begin to approach retirement age. 50-something women have the highest frequency of sleep problems, though they report spending more than 8 hours in bed per night on weeknights (66%) and say they often nap at least once per week (61%). As a group, women in this segment frequently use sleep aids (41%) and approximately one-fourth (26%) of these women have been told by their doctor that they have a sleep problem. When sleepy during the day, 50-something women rarely just accept it and keep going; instead they choose to do less during the day (20%) and/or nap to catch up on their sleep (16%). Other Poll Highlights: n Women who allow children (9%) or pets (14%) to share their bed have the most disturbed sleep. n It’s a myth that men snore and women do not. Nearly one-third of women (31%) responded that they snore at least a few nights per week, likely disturbing their own sleep and the sleep of their partner. n 29% of women report using some type of sleep aid at least a few nights per week. n About two in ten women (19%) report experiencing symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS). Women who experience RLS at least a few nights a week are more likely than those who experience RLS with less frequency to: n Experience symptoms of insomnia at least a few nights a week (90% vs. 62%) n Experience daytime sleepiness at least a few days a week (44% vs. 17%) n Consume more caffeine per day (3.71 cups/cans vs. 2.27) n Use sleep aids at least a few nights a week (47% vs. 25%)
Tips for Healthy Sleep
NSF Background |
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