Why Women Need More Sleep Than Men
Posted: 16 September 2025
Science proves it: women really do need more sleep than men.
Research shows that, on average, women benefit from an extra 20–30 minutes of rest each night. The reasons go deeper than busy schedules… our biology, brain activity, and hormones all play a huge role.
The Science Behind It
Women’s brains often work harder during the day, calling on areas like the prefrontal cortex (for decision-making and planning), the hippocampus (for memory), and the parietal lobes (for multitasking and processing information). With all these areas of the brain firing at once, women can build up greater sleep debt, which makes that extra rest especially important for recovery.
Studies also show women are more likely than men to experience sleep disorders, including insomnia and restless nights. And because women’s symptoms of sleep apnea (such as fatigue, headaches, or waking unrefreshed) don’t always match the stereotype of loud snoring, they often go undiagnosed.
How Hormones Affect Rest
Hormonal shifts are another key reason sleep feels different for women.
1. During our cycle: Estrogen and progesterone rise and fall, affecting energy, dream intensity, and sleep depth.
2. Periods: Pain, bloating, and mood swings can all make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
3. Perimenopause and menopause: Hot flashes and night sweats disrupt rest, while hormonal changes increase wakefulness.
Combined with stress and the mental load of daily life, all these factors explain why so many women feel tired but wired when they finally climb into bed.
Why Sleep Environment Matters
Getting more hours in bed is only part of the solution. The quality of your sleep environment matters just as much. Breathable, natural bedding like linen supports deeper, more restorative sleep by:
- Regulating your temperature: Linen helps wick away moisture and keeps your body cool, even through night sweats.
- Improving your comfort: Soft and breathable linen sheets make it easier to drift off.
- Feeling like a 5-star hotel: Linen sheets feel great AND look great, and we're not sure about you, but that always helps us sleep better.
Women really do need more sleep than men, and small changes can make that extra rest more achievable.
Choosing high-quality bedding is one of the easiest upgrades: linen keeps you cool, comfortable, and supported through the night.
At I Love Linen, we believe women deserve sleep that restores both body and mind.
By making your bedroom a haven, with soft, breathable linen, you can give yourself the deeper rest your body is asking for.
