Lack of sleep leaves US women too tired for sex, friends

Women in United States are not getting enough sleep and because of this their quality of life has spoiled, affecting every aspect of their lives including their moods, sex and social lives, according to a survey, called the 2007 Sleep in America poll conducted by National Sleep Foundation (NSF).

In their survey the NSF team found that the American women are too tired, get inadequate sleep and thus suffer serious consequences.

"American women are not sleeping well, and that is affecting all aspects of their life," said Kathryn Lee, a professor of family health care nursing at the University of California, who is also a member of the survey team.

The survey says as many as 60 per cent of American women have trouble getting a good night's sleep, leaving many of them stressed out, late for work, too tired for sex and with too little time for their friends. These women say they get a good night's sleep only a few days a week or less, while 67% say they frequently experience a sleep problem.

Furthermore, 43 percent women report that daytime sleepiness interferes with their regular activities. Lack of sleep badly affects moods, sometimes putting someone at a greater risk for symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The NSF poll, intended to look at the sleep patterns of adult women and is based on a telephonic survey of more than 1,000 women, aged 18 to 64 years, found that women of all ages are experiencing sleep disorders, which transform into ferocity as they move through the different biological phases of their lives.

The poll also revealed an interesting fact related to sleep problems. It said that lifestyle also plays a significant, usually negative, role in women's sleep and daytime alertness.

According to the poll, 72% of working mothers and 68% of single working women reported symptoms of inability to sleep soundly like insomnia. The highest level of difficulty in falling asleep was reported by stay-at-home mothers, with 74% reporting symptoms of insomnia, a poor-quality sleep at least a few nights each week.

"Poor sleep impacts every aspect of a woman's life, as well as her health. This year, we are asking women to take the steps necessary to make healthy sleep a higher priority in their lives and in the lives of their families," said Richard L. Gelula, NSF's chief executive officer.

The data provided by the National Institutes of Health reveals that nearly 70 million people in the United States are unable to obtain an adequate quality of sleep, with women suffering from sleeplessness more often than men and with increasing frequency as they go through various stages of their lives.

If you have difficulty with your sleep for any reason, here are some tips that may help you get a better night's sleep:

# To not let daytime sleepiness interfere with your daytime routine, the women should follow some following steps that may help them get a better night's sleep.

# The foremost step is to consult with the doctor, as various emotional and physical factors can affect sleep so it is generally not possible to make a diagnosis without taking a thorough medical history.

# The health experts recommend that cutting down on caffeine or reducing stress at night can make a huge difference. They also suggest a standard relaxing bedtime routine and to keep regular sleep times.

# A cool, dark and quiet bedroom with comfortable bedclothes would help women sleep sound.

# Use of nicotine at night is associated with sleep problems so smokers should quit smoking, especially before bedtime.

#Experts even advice to avoid foods and drinks high in caffeine like coffee, colas, tea and chocolate and alcohol a few hours before bedtime.