Women Are Constantly Sleep-Deprived – And Their Partners Are To Blame

Aug 20, 2019 by apost team

Do you wonder why you feel tired all the time? Well, there might be a reason why you can't help but yawn throughout the day!

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According to a survey by Bensons for Beds, 50% of women feel like they're constantly sleep deprived and more than 50% claim that they are at their wit's end due to lack of sleep. 

But what is disrupting their sleep? According to Bensons for Beds, about 25% percent of women say their partner's snoring is causing them to lose sleep. Next to other factors like anxiety, physical pain or work stress. 

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Consequences of missed sleep

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On top of that, sleep loss actually affects women more than men. Researchers at Duke University Medical Center, led by Edward Suarez, PhD, discovered that even though sleep loss is bad for everyone's health, there is a gender difference. Apparently woman who are constantly losing sleep are at a higher risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes or depression.

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Other effects of sleep depriviation include:

  • Weight gain
  • Low sex drive
  • Poor balance
  • Mood swings
  • High blood pressure

How to get a good night's sleep

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Tips for developing better sleep:

  • Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
  • Optimize your bedroom environment
  • Go to bed when you are sleepy, avoid trying to force yourself to sleep
  • Take a relaxing bath or shower
  • Refrain from stimulating activities right before bed
  • Wind up activities that would bother you upon going to bed

Solving the snoring issue 

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1 out of 4 women blames her sleep depriviation on her partner's snoring, so it's important to find a solution for that issue. Mike Dilkes, an Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon at the Hospital of St. John in London states that "there are some exercises that can be done to tone up the muscles in the neck, nose and throat that contribute to snoring". Here are some tips he shares on performing these exercises to stop the snoring: 

  1. Perform "throat curls" – curl your tongue backward toward the back of your mouth, then relax and let it fall back against the back of your front teeth. Repeat several times, or till your tongue feels fatigued.
  2. Say "ahhhhhh" – -open your mouth as wide as possible and say "ahhhhhh" for several seconds.
  3. Squeal – poke your tongue out and take a deep breath, making a high pitched noise like you are gargling for air for 30 seconds.
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Repeating these exercises several times per day will tone up this area of the body, reducing snoring and hopefully restoring your restful nights and repairing your relationship. Other tips for improving snoring include:

  • losing weight
  • refraining from drinking in the evening
  • toning up and improving physical fitness

Women do have different sleep needs than men; with changing menstrual cycles, menopause looming on the horizon, and biological differences that exist between the sexes, it is important to establish some good sleep habits for better health. If you and your partner work together toward finding a solution for lost sleep, you'll soon be able to strike a delicate balance that both of you need for some restful z's. Good night, and sweet dreams!

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Do you have trouble sleeping? Could your partner's snoring be the reason for it? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to find out what others have to say about it!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!