Is It True That Women Need More Sleep Than Men? Here’s What the Research (and Real Life) Says

“Why am I still tired after eight hours of sleep?”

If you’re a woman in the workforce — especially one juggling deadlines, leadership, family, and your own health — you’ve probably asked yourself that more than once.

Maybe you've found yourself in bed at 11:00 PM, eyes wide open after a full day of working, parenting, managing, smiling. Your partner is snoring already. Your mind? Still scrolling through to-do lists, unsent emails, unspoken worries. And in that moment, you’ve wondered:

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“Why do I feel more tired than everyone else?”

You're not imagining it.And no, you’re not doing something wrong.

Women actually do need more sleep than men. And when we dig into why, the answers are not only backed by science — they’re deeply personal and emotional.

Why Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men?

What the Research Says: Yes, Women Need More Sleep

According to multiple studies, including one from the Sleep Research Center at Loughborough University, women require more rest — often up to 20 extra minutes per night — than men.

Why?

Because women’s brains are structured differently.We engage in more complex multitasking, emotional processing, and decision-making throughout the day — whether we realize it or not. This increased brain activity means we need more recovery time at night.

Other biological factors add layers:

• Hormonal fluctuations (menstrual cycles, perimenopause, menopause) disrupt sleep cycles

• Increased risk of insomnia and anxiety disorders in women leads to lighter, less restorative sleep

• Caregiving roles — waking for kids, parents, or simply out of mental habit — mean we often sleep lighter and less consistently

But biology is only part of the equation.

The Invisible Load: Why Women Are More Tired Than Men

Let me tell you a story.

One of my clients — let’s call her Priya — is a senior manager at a consulting firm. She’s sharp, driven, respected by her peers. On paper, she's thriving.

But she came to me after two years of:

• Waking up every night at 3 AM

• Struggling with afternoon brain fog

• Snapping at her partner over minor things

• Feeling like she was running on fumes

When I asked her how she unwinds at the end of the day, she laughed.

“I finish dinner, clean up, prep the kid’s lunch, respond to emails from my boss, and then fall asleep watching Instagram reels I don’t even remember.”

Priya’s story isn’t rare — it’s common.Women like her (like you) are constantly managing not just work… but the mental tabs of life:

• Remembering birthdays

• Scheduling dentist appointments

• Noticing when the milk’s running low

• Keeping track of coworkers’ moods, team morale, the energy of a room

• Performing. Holding space. Being “on.”

It’s not just “doing more.” It’s holding more — emotionally, mentally, and physically. And that holding? It costs your nervous system. It costs your sleep.

Why Mainstream Sleep Advice Doesn’t Work for Women

Here’s the thing:When Priya searched online for solutions, she kept seeing the same advice:

“Limit your screen time.”“Take a warm bath.”“Drink chamomile tea.”“Try deep breathing.”

All great.But let’s be real — when your nervous system is wired tight, your mind is in a constant loop of planning, and your body thinks it still has work to do… tea isn’t going to cut it.

What she needed — and what so many high-achieving women need — wasn’t just a bedtime routine.She needed a way to retrain her entire system to feel safe, grounded, and aligned again.

That’s where my work — and the Sync Method™ — was born.

The Sync Method™: A Coaching Framework That Aligns What Matters

The Sync Method™ is a system I developed after years of working with high-functioning women who were burning out quietly while appearing "fine."

It’s based on one powerful belief:

Stress, sleep, and mindfulness are not separate issues.They’re deeply interconnected — and when they’re out of sync, we fall out of sync too.

The method realigns:

• 💤 Sleep Sync — Restoring natural sleep rhythms through nervous system support

• 😰 Stress Sync — Regulating emotional overload through micro-habits, not major life overhauls

• 🧠 Mindfulness Sync — Building quiet awareness into your existing routines

Together, these create Total Nervous System Regulation — which is just a fancy way of saying:

“You feel safe, grounded, clear, and calm — consistently.”

How It Works (Without Extra Effort)

This isn’t a 12-step routine. It’s not a productivity hack.It’s not a luxury “self-care” checklist.

The Sync Method is designed for women who don’t have time to pause but desperately need to.

Small shifts like:

• Knowing how to wind down your nervous system in 90 seconds

• Learning to rebuild your sleep window without obsessing over bedtime

• Replacing guilt with presence through micro-mindfulness practices

One client, a product lead at a tech company, told me:

“I didn’t even realize how tired I was… until I felt rested again. The Sync Method didn’t ask me to change everything. It helped me change the right things.”

That’s the power of syncing.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The modern world doesn’t support women’s rest.It rewards overwork, hyper-productivity, and looking “together” while you’re secretly unraveling.

But your nervous system?It remembers everything you’ve held. It doesn’t lie. It tells the truth — through your sleep, your burnout, your tension, your exhaustion.

And healing doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic.It can be subtle. Gentle. Strategic. Sustainable.

That’s what Sync is about — bringing you back into alignment so your rest feels earned, your energy feels real, and your life feels like yours again.

Final Thoughts

So yes — women do need more sleep than men.

But more importantly, we need space.We need tools.We need systems that recognize who we are and what we carry — not just treat us like tired versions of men.

If you’re reading this and nodding, know this:

You’re not weak.

You’re not lazy.

You’re carrying more than you realize.

And it’s not about doing less — it’s about doing what truly restores you.

That’s what the Sync Method is here for.

About Shivani Bhattacharya

I'm Shivani, a certified Stress & Sleep Coach and the founder of The Sync Method™ — a holistic coaching approach designed for high-achieving women who are tired of burnout and ready to reset.

My work blends science-backed strategies with nervous system regulation to help working women feel calm, clear, and deeply rested — without needing hours of self-care routines.

When I’m not coaching or writing, you’ll find me sipping herbal tea, resisting late-night Instagram scrolls, and reminding women everywhere: you don’t have to earn your rest — you deserve it.