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Why Women Need More Sleep Than Men – Neurologists
Neurologists have stated that women require more sleep than men because women’s brains are more active and engaged in multitasking and processing emotions intensely, leading to greater cognitive demands.
They noted that the differences in brain function and hormonal fluctuations influence sleep patterns during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
The physicians said due to these demands, women’s brains needed additional sleep to recover and perform optimally, emphasising that hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect sleep patterns.
The specialists noted that hormonal changes could disrupt sleep, making adequate rest even more critical for women.
They emphasised that by prioritising sleep, women could enhance memory, mood, and overall cognitive function, which prevented mental fatigue and long-term neurological issues.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
Data from the National Library of Medicine indicates that womenh require an extra 11 to 13 minutes of sleep to balance up while another states 20 minutes of sleep.
A study by Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, United States, revealed that women suffer greater health issues due to lack of sleep compared to men of the same age group.
The research, which examined 210 men and women of the same middle-aged group, concluded that women needed more sleep than men to allow the brain to recover and repair itself from stress brought by daily activities, stating that women who lack sleep are prone to depression, anger and psychological imbalance among others.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Edward Suarez, who is the Lead author of the study, said, “We found that for women, poor sleep is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress and greater feelings of hostility, depression, and anger.”
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the neurologists urged the women to get enough sleep to protect their brain health.
A Neurologist and Chairman of the International Institutes of Advanced Research and Training Centre at Chidicon Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Professor Philip Njemanze, affirmed that women needed more sleep than men for a healthy brain and good memories, suggesting 11 minutes extra sleep.
Njemanze, a former Principal investigator of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration for the study of the ‘Brain in Space,’ said that there was wide variability in sleep span, recommending intermittent sleep during the day for women to make up for the extra sleep needed for their brain health.
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He said, “Studying the data, I recommend intermittent naps during the day for women. This would be more attuned to the mode of brain functional computation. This would allow sleep time for creating a memory of prior experience.”
Njemanze theorised that these differences might stem from how male and female brains process light, which could explain why women excel at multitasking while men focus more effectively on singular tasks.
He continued, “This difference could explain some everyday behaviours: women excel at multitasking – nurturing children, cooking, and chatting simultaneously, while men often prefer focused, singular tasks for effectiveness.
“However, this multitasking ‘superpower’ comes with a cost. The vast energy required for women’s parallel brain processing can lead to fatigue, and if proper rest or sleep is not taken, mental health challenges like depression may arise.
“Shockingly, women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, underscoring the need for balanced routines and sufficient rest and sleep.”
He added that simple lifestyle adjustments, like prioritising sleep, could make a world of difference, insisting that the implications go far beyond daily life for women.
Speaking further, a Consultant Neurologist at the Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, Anambra State, Dr Joe Akoma, said that science had confirmed that women not only need more quality sleep than their male counterparts, but they also have a more challenging time getting it.
He noted that societal expectations and lifestyle differences played a role in these discrepancies, however stating that the body chemistry was the real issue.
Although age and stage of life significantly influence sleep changes for both sexes, he noted that female sex hormones affect sleep quality and regulation.
“While these hormones appear to promote better sleep overall, the constant fluctuations with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause lead to disruptions in female sleep patterns and needs, a problem that most biological males don’t have to face.
“Women in nature are overthinkers and would tend to have an increased brain activity more than men. Women tend to multi-task; they do a lot at once and are flexible and so, they use more of their actual brain than men do.
“And because of that, their sleep need is greater. This is because women’s brains are wired differently from men’s and are more complex, so their sleep needs will be slightly greater,” he added.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced adjustment for the campaign period ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The adjusted schedule for the election was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election and adjusted the Osun State Governorship Election forward by one week from the 8th of August 2026 to the 15th.
“As a result of this adjustment, the last day for political parties’ campaigns in the state is now midnight on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in line with Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that campaigns shall end 24 hours prior to election day.
“The Commission urges all political parties, candidates, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the revised timeline.
“INEC remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections,” the statement read.
Fresh allegations have surfaced against former Zamfara State Governor and current senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, accusing him of engaging in large-scale financial inducements aimed at influencing political figures and advancing his ambition to become Nigeria’s Vice President.
According to claims attributed to unnamed sources, Yari is allegedly distributing billions of naira to politicians and influential individuals, while reportedly keeping detailed records of such transactions for potential leverage. The allegations suggest that these actions are part of a broader effort to position himself as a possible running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should there be any change involving current Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The report further alleges that Yari has made substantial monthly payments to key political figures, including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, as well as providing funds to presidential aides to secure access and influence.
In addition, Yari is said to have targeted individuals within the inner circle of the President, including associates and family members. One claim alleges that he distributed millions of dollars during a recent birthday event for Gilbert Chagoury.
The senator is also reportedly linked to the establishment of a political support group, the Renewed Hope Network, allegedly funded with billions of naira and coordinated through political ally James Abiodun Faleke.
Further allegations tie Yari to past financial dealings involving late former President Muhammadu Buhari and former First Lady Aisha Buhari, with claims that funds were exchanged and later referenced during investigations into alleged fraud cases.
Sources also claim that Yari’s wealth is partly derived from illegal gold mining activities in Zamfara State, alongside consultancy payments reportedly received from the Federal Government.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Yari or the individuals named in the allegations. The claims also remain unverified, and no formal charges or independent confirmations have been publicly established.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that he is ready to contest the 2027 election to seek a second term in office as Nigeria’s leader.
According to him, he is ready to break the shackles of ignorance and poverty, put freedom in the hearts of Nigerians and ensure democracy survives.
Taking a swipe at opposition parties, President Tinubu said he wants to give something different from the rascality or noise-making of a street convention.
According to him, the country must submit to the principles of separation of powers and respect the judiciary even when rulings don’t favour a particular group.
Naija News reports that Tinubu made the declaration when he met with the leadership and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu added that he can’t be intimidated by the antics of opposition parties and politicians, declaring that he was once in their shoes and understands the game.
“They want to scare me off? It’s a lie. I have been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over again, I will do the same thing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his interest in the 2027 presidency.
Onanuga argued that Atiku is simply pursuing a self-serving interest without regard for zoning or Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement, which gives preference to a southern candidate for the 2027 presidency.
According to the presidential media aide, Atiku has constantly disregarded zoning arrangements in his previous ambitions for the presidency, leading to a crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He added that Atiku’s open declaration of intent to contest the 2027 presidency is following the same route and may plunge the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into similar troubles.
Onanuga, however, predicted that Atiku would suffer a resounding defeat at the polls, describing him as a man who never learns.
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