Men’s sleep – how the stronger sex gets the best rest
You might think that the differences between the sexes are non-existent or at least negligible, at least when it comes to sleep. But in fact, the sleeping behaviour of men and women sometimes differs significantly. Find out here which characteristics make a man’s sleep so special.
How do men sleep really well?
In contrast to women, men actually prefer to sleep in a group, i.e. not alone. A sleeping partner is absolutely beneficial for men’s sleep. The reason for this could lie in the history of our development, evolution. Even in prehistoric times, men could only really rest and sleep peacefully if they felt protected and sheltered in a group.
Women, on the other hand, who have always had to look after their families and children, sleep much more restfully alone than as a couple. Overall, their sleep is lighter and more prone to disturbance than that of a man. Nevertheless, women also generally prefer to sleep in company rather than alone and are therefore happy to accept a slightly poorer night’s sleep at the price of the nightly companionship.
What are the characteristics of men’s sleep?
On average, men need around 20 minutes less sleep than women to start the day fit and productive. However, it is not only the duration of sleep that is shorter in men, the duration and intensity of the deep sleep phase is also shorter. Unfortunately, the latter is affected with age. This is because the deep sleep phase also becomes shorter over the years, which can affect the quality of sleep and therefore the general ability to regenerate.
Another special feature or side effect of men’s sleep is nocturnal erections, which can occur several times and for up to half an hour, especially during REM sleep. These erections occur subconsciously and are not sexually motivated. During the dream phase, the blood flow to the penis is activated, which ensures the regeneration of the cells that are responsible for erectile function. The body therefore prevents possible disorders in this area through the recurring nocturnal erections.
Is snoring typical for men?
As a rule, men actually snore more frequently than women. One reason for this is that men’s throat is narrower and has more flexible muscles. The air they breathe causes the soft palate and uvula to vibrate during sleep, creating the typical snoring noises. Even though men actually snore more frequently on average, this equalises out with increasing age. From midlife onwards, women also increasingly begin to snore at night. However, as their male sleeping partners sleep more deeply, women’s snoring usually goes unnoticed. Alcohol and obesity are additional factors that can favour snoring, regardless of gender.
What should men do for a good night’s sleep?
Excellent sleep hygiene is important for everyone who wants to sleep restfully and peacefully. Regular bedtimes and avoiding heavy food, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine before going to bed are just as important as a relaxed atmosphere and well-tempered bedrooms. If bedding such as pillows, mattresses and duvets are also optimised to suit personal needs and preferences, nothing stands in the way of a good night’s sleep.
