Insomnia ( Lack of Sleep) : The most underrated and overlooked health issues in working women
Our society is often questioned for its dominant patriarchal attitude and social construct that tends to define a gap between men and women. There have been a disparity based on gender, financial status,wage, education that calls for women empowerment. The latest entrant to our outcome discrepancy club is the “Sleep Gap”.
As per the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the lack of sleep affect more women then men. In medical terms, the lack of sleep coined as Insomnia is one of the most reported sleep problems in working women.
In a recent medical study by WHO, it has been found that one in four women has some insomnia symptoms, such as trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep or both. Their propensity for this sleep condition may be related to a number of factors.
There are certain biological changes that make sleep more difficult as we age. In case of women, they experience unique harmonal changes that can cause insomnia symptoms. Women have different levels of hormone progesterone and estrogen as compared to men. These hormones fluctuate throughout a women’s menstrual cycle. Hormones like estrogen have an impact on sleep cycles.Low iron count in daily diet and hormonal changes can trigger sleep apnea i.e breathing difficulty. This interrupts sleep which is non restorative or of poor quality.
How do deal with it ?
There are few things anyone can do to combat insomnia.
👉 We need to create a boundary between day time activities and night sleep.
👉 Relaxing for the night should be done in dimly lit conditions, preferably without light.
👉 We should try not to engage in anything too stimulating before bed.
👉 We should not consume substances like caffeine, alcohol before bed as these stimulating agents might make our sleep difficult and disturb our sleeping hygiene.
👉 We need to provide emotional and social support to working women. Men needs to be an equal partner when it comes to managing the house and the kid.
Conclusion
Most people have insomnia at some time in their life. Being a working women, she should expect nothing less from her family. If insomnia persists, we need to consult a good physician or visit a sleep specialist. Sometimes we don’t need any pill or medicine, all we need is a good care of our bed time and good balanced diet.
As quoted by Sean Sullivan,
Sleep disorders are conceivably the most unnoticed,
ignored reason of health as well as performance
problems in the place of work.
References
1. https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/3-reasons-women-are-more-likely-to-have-insomnia
2. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/insomnia
3. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/insomnia-you/insomnia-women
4. https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/top-5-causes-sleep-problems-in-aging-and-proven-insomnia-treatments/
5. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/insomnia-women_n_1428494
6. https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/28/8/972/2708224
7. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00737-005-0100-1
This is of great concern and should be dealt with care . Stress and anxiety are the reason for working class to face the disorder of sleeplessness.
ReplyDeleteIn our society it is not even taken as a disorder.
DeleteWe really need to relate this to our sleeping schedule.
DeleteThis has become a normality disorder and is bound to disturb us mentally as well as physically.
DeleteWomen are expected to work in today's world, but at the same time need to take the responsibility of her family and kids which leads to poor sleep. There is always a sense of disparity towards them.
ReplyDeleteThis reality cannot be undermined or ignored.
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ReplyDeleteIt's high time..it should be taken seriously and awareness regarding the same needs to be spread.
ReplyDeleteHope this would change our mindset .
DeleteIt is more of a mental conclusion that disturb our sleep
DeleteCalm mind equals to peaceful sleep. Yoga exercise would help to achieve good sleep.
ReplyDeleteWe really need to accept and treat it as a disorder.
DeleteIt should be treated as a usual disorder which requires basic natural therapies to keep stress of surroundings away.
DeleteIt is one of the most overlooked epedemic in present era.. which really needs to be worked upon.
ReplyDeleteAll we need is a positive approach toward life and lifestyle and carefully need to handle the complexities of the process.
ReplyDeleteIt's the least topic talked about.I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteNobody really take it as a disorder
DeleteThank you so much for this information
ReplyDelete