This question is based on a premise that isn’t entirely accurate. There’s no universal biological rule stating that all wives/women need more sleep than their husbands/men. Sleep needs are highly individual.
However, what is a very common and reported phenomenon in many heterosexual couples is that the woman often feels more tired or has a lower quality of sleep than the man, which can create the impression that she “needs” to sleep more to compensate.
These are the scientific and social reasons behind this perception:
1. Hormonal and Brain Differences
Menstrual cycles: Hormonal changes during the cycle (especially during premenstrual syndrome and menstruation) can cause fatigue, sleep disturbances, and an increased need for rest.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: These stages require a huge amount of physical and hormonal energy, which drastically increases the need for sleep.
Menopause: Hot flashes, night sweats, and hormonal changes can severely disrupt deep sleep.
Sleep architecture: Some studies suggest that women tend to have lighter sleep and wake up more easily than men, so they need more time in bed to reach the same level of restoration.
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