Study: Women less likely to feel well-rested

DARIEN, Ill. – Women are almost twice as likely (31%) as men (17%) to say they rarely or never wake up feeling well-rested, according to a new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.  

“The quality of our sleep is impacted by a number of internal and external factors, including stress, health, diet, timing and the amount of time spent on sleep, as well as resources, which all play a role in determining how we feel when we wake up,” said Dr. Kin Yuen, an AASM spokesperson. “Many women embrace a ‘do it all’ mentality, whether they feel rested and rejuvenated or not. It is important for women to prioritize getting seven or more hours of sleep per night for their overall health.”    

AASM says that consistently waking up feeling fatigued or sleepy can be a sign of a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or chronic insomnia. 

It recommends the following tips to establish healthy sleep hygiene and improve the overall quality of sleep:   

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.    
• Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.    
• Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings and turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.    
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.    
• Avoid consuming caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bedtime.    
• If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Do a quiet activity without a lot of light exposure until you feel sleepy.