PILLOW TALK

A long history of patriarchy and negligence in female healthcare has reduced sleep to a universal number. How many hours is enough? We explore why women face chronic sleep deprivation

- KONIKA DATTA

In December 2023, Dakota Johnson sent the Internet into a frenzy after publicly declaring that she requires a minimum of 10 hours of sleep to function and she can easily sleep for up to 14 hours at times. “Sleep is my number one priority in life,” she stated in an interview. This revelation took many by surprise, as it’s a stark contrast from the usual ‘seven to eight hours of sleep’ rule we’ve always been familiar with that’s said to be enough for an adult. But women everywhere had a relatable moment – we have often found ourselves wanting to sleep for more than the ‘recommended by experts’ hours. For most women, our relationship with sleep, which is regulated by hormones, has been strained and unhealthy. Jennifer Aniston, Roxane Gay, and even Madonna have talked about their struggle and battle with insomnia, a sleep disorder usually observed in women, according to Dr. Manvir Bhatia, senior neurologist and sleep specialist.

“Women across all ages are more prone to develop insomnia than men. Another sleep disorder, sleep apnea, is found mostly in those dealing with post-menopause, the third trimester of pregnancy, and PCOS. Restless legs syndrome is also seen in women who have iron deficiency in the body or brain,” says Dr. Bhatia, explaining males and females not only function differently on a biological level, but also on a neurological and social level. This is primarily why women require more sleep than men, but the exact amount depends on the physical, emotional, and mental health of an individual.

WHILE WE SLEEP