BodyAfterBaby

The fact is a female’s biology exacerbates sleeplessness. Sleep deprivation is a fact of life when becoming a new mum and unfortunately it is actually a fact of modern life. But why do men seem to fall instantly asleep when their heads hit the pillow? The fact is a female’s biology exacerbates sleeplessness.
Some sleep facts to consider before bed tonight:
- At each stage of life - from youth to old age, through pregnancy, baby care, and menopause - women find that getting a good night's sleep is hard. And it becomes harder, not easier, as they age.
- Women don't give sleep a high enough priority.
- A US Sleep Foundation poll found that two-thirds of women use caffeine to stay awake, and more than a third drink three or more cups of coffee (or their equivalent) a day. Poor sleep goes hand in hand with poor mood. More than half of women said they're likely to be in a bad mood, sad or angry when they're sleepy during the day. Nearly half eat sugary foods to compensate and seven per cent use medication to keep them alert.
- Exhaustion reduces the body's ability to fight disease. It diminishes mental sharpness, leading to poor judgment and delayed reaction time - critical factors while driving a car or caring for small children.
- When pressed for time, women cut back on the healthy activities sacrificing sleep and exercise when time is limited. Women also cut back on time with family and friends, healthy eating, and sex with their partner.
My first priority was the children; my second, work; the third, domestic things like the l-
- More than half of stay-at-home mums say they get up frequently during the night, the Sleep Foundation poll found. Three-quarters say they suffer symptoms of insomnia. Its worst for the newest mothers: 42 per cent of postpartum mums rarely, if ever, get a good night's sleep.
- Experts recommend that people unwind in the hour before bedtime each night, to foster good sleep. That may be the recommendation but in fact most women are doing housework or doing job-related work before bed. No wonder we can’t sleep.