How men and women sleep differently

It should come as no surprise that men and women sleep very differently. If you’ve ever slept with a member of the opposite sex, then you this is true. According to the Sleep Foundation, 65% of women report sleeping with a significant other, and 14% report sleeping with a pet, leaving about 20% sleeping alone.

And this can change throughout life. Women’s changing hormone patterns affect sleeping patterns.

Sometimes, your partner sleeps really hot, and you sleep really cold. Sometimes, it’s the complete opposite. Sometimes you give off heat that fries your partner and vice versa. You’re not crazy, and neither is your partner. There is scientific evidence to back this up.

One study published by the Department of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School found that despite sleeping under the same conditions, the woman's body temperature at night is warmer than a man’s. This is interesting, as men tend to feel themselves warm at night, requiring to shed covers. Whereas women tend to require covers, yet are hot to the touch.

Another study notes distinct differences in sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, and melatonin levels between men and women. According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS), “circadian rhythms of melatonin and body temperature are set to an earlier hour in women than in men, even when the women and men maintain nearly identical and consistent bedtimes and wake times.”

This Harvard University research study found that the intrinsic circadian rhythms in women are shorter than 24 hours. Women tend to fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier than men. Furthermore, men’s natural sleep tendencies put them drowsy 2 hours later than women.

It’s not just temperature, but it’s finding comfort while you sleep, as well as physiology. Size matters when it comes to selecting the correct bedding for your sleeping style. Depending on your physiology, the position you sleep in, whether you sleep ON or IN your pillow, and the firmness of your mattress, and whether you’re male or female, you and your partner may require different pillow densities to ensure proper spine alignment and comfort while you sleep.

Your bedroom environment should be your sanctuary. Once you’re in bed, get comfortable in whatever way feels best to you. Find out if your pillow has the right personality for you.