We have all heard of the battle of the sexes - gender based quarrels between men and women. Apparently, it begins in the bedroom, but possibly not in the manner you imagined!

A kiss goodnight and straight off to sleep for you and your mate is the end of any parallel between the way males and females sleep. Good sleep is essential for both good physical and mental health. When it comes to getting a good night's sleep women require more sleep than men and face additional challenges in achieving it. So let's take a closer look at the differences between the two.

Women need an estimated 20 minutes more sleep each night. Daily sleep requirements are linked to the amount we use our brain. The amazing mental gymnastics women require for everyday multitasking means they frequently use more of their brain than their male counterparts, increasing their need for sleep. Sadly, with women prioritising family needs even during sleeping hours, many struggle to achieve this.

Men are more likely than women to suffer from sleep apnoea, a sleep disorder that disturbs the sleep cycle with momentary breathing stoppages. However, statistics indicate that women experience higher incidence of insomnia; having trouble falling asleep, remaining asleep, or both. Particular life stages can create or exacerbate insomnia. Common tricky stages may include pregnancy, when sleeping is difficult due to discomfort, menopause with disturbances from hot flushes or night sweats or simply periods of general stress, when problems and worries work to prevent sleep.

And to top it all off, women are less able to deal with sleep deprivation. When it comes to lack of sleep, detrimental health effects include an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and an increased incidence of depression. These issues affect men and women but unfortunately for women, studies suggest that the impact is greater on them, particularly on their mental health.

Source sleeporg.com