{"id":34673,"date":"2025-03-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/?p=34673"},"modified":"2025-02-19T18:48:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T18:48:49","slug":"sleep-tips-for-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/sleep-tips-for-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Listen Up, Men: Here Are a Few Very Good Reasons Why You Should Prioritize Sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most of us invest time and money in the pursuit of a good night\u2019s sleep<\/a> because it\u2019s essential to our overall health and wellness\u2014and it feels amazing too. Most women, that is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show over 60% of men believe they’re\u00a0naturally healthier than others<\/a>\u00a0and often skip annual check-ups and exams recommended for their age group.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is alarming, as, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all men over the age of 20<\/a> have high blood pressure, are of higher weights, and, on average, die five years earlier than women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, why do men skimp on a nighttime ritual and overlook the importance of sleep\u2019s significant role in promoting good health? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Studies show over 60% of men believe they’re\u00a0naturally healthier than others\u00a0and often skip annual check-ups and exams recommended for their age group.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

We spoke with four medical experts who shared their knowledge about the reasons, risk factors, and causes of poor sleep health in men and tips they can adopt to improve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why men might not prioritize their sleep <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our culture often stereotypes men as deep sleepers<\/a> and early risers and depicts naps<\/a> as feminine. For example, fragile female fairytale characters<\/a> suffer from insomnia<\/a> and hypersomnia<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Films and television highlight women\u2019s morning and bedtime routines, unlike men, especially \u201csuccessful\u201d men, who seem to run on batteries and magically roll out of bed in a suit and tie, alert and rested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne significant factor could be societal expectations or cultural norms associating being busy or sleep-deprived with productivity and strength,\u201d says Lizzie Benge<\/a>, MD, sleep medicine physician at Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital. \u201cSome men may associate prioritizing sleep with a lack of ambition, while others might overestimate their health and believe they can function optimally on minimal rest, ignoring the long-term consequences.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bottom line: Like going to the doctor, men are taught to tough out or dismiss sleep issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cSome men may associate prioritizing sleep with a lack of ambition, while others might overestimate their health and believe they can function optimally on minimal rest, ignoring the long-term consequences.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Lizzie Benge, MD, sleep medicine physician at Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Common sleep problems in men <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The direct effects of men not getting enough shuteye go far beyond morning grumpiness, easily remedied by a caffeine jolt. Insomnia,\u00a0sleep apnea<\/a>, and\u00a0back pain<\/a>\u00a0are some of the most common problems that arise from this.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men may brush off night sweats as simply being \u201chot-blooded,\u201d but, like women, it could be caused by hormonal changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Left untreated, Benge warns these conditions can lead to serious health issues: untreated sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and heart disease, and insomnia can become chronic sleep deprivation<\/a>, affecting men\u2019s brain and mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy not giving sleep the attention it deserves, these issues compound, creating a vicious cycle of poor sleep and worsening health,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to online search trends\u00a0analyzed by\u00a0Ben\u2019s Natural Health<\/a>, men seem increasingly concerned about health issues exacerbated by poor sleep hygiene.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hormonal changes were the second (low testosterone), fifth (high testosterone), and tenth (high estrogen) most Googled health conditions by men, while night sweats<\/a> and back pain took the eighth and ninth spots, respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"person
A relaxing nighttime routine that includes herbal tea can promote healthy sleep in men.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sleep tips for men<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“I wish I hadn\u2019t slept so soundly,” said no one ever. So, how can men have sleep goals to improve their health and well-being, and what might their evening routine look like? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA\u00a0relaxing nighttime wind-down routine<\/a> can promote healthy sleep,”\u00a0suggests\u00a0Mike McGrath<\/a>, MD,\u00a0board-certified psychiatrist and chief clinical officer at The Oasis Recovery.\u00a0“This routine can include relaxing activities such as taking a warm shower, drinking a cup of decaffeinated tea, and listening to soothing music.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also recommends sticking to a consistent sleep schedule<\/a>. Mindful meditation, reading a book, and adopting a skincare routine can signal men to slow down and care for themselves after hours.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A nightly skincare routine<\/a> can do more than hydrate skin and prevent fine lines. Hannah Kopelman<\/a>, MD, a dermatologist at DermOnDemand, shares her favorite tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWarm water during cleansing can help relax facial muscles and prepare you for rest, and applying products can have a meditative quality, reducing stress levels,” she says. “Well-moisturized skin is less prone to irritation or itchiness, which can disrupt sleep. Pairing skincare with aromatherapy<\/a>\u2014using lavender-infused products, for example\u2014can also create a more restful environment.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Clark<\/a>, PhD, clinical psychologist at Park West Psychiatry, notes that not getting quality rest can also negatively impact relationships and work performance. Awareness of these factors may help men reroute their thinking about sleep and prioritize a healthy bedtime routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQs <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What causes a lack of sleep in men? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our experts cited chronic stress and poor sleep hygiene<\/a>, including not having a regular bedtime and screen time from cell phones, computers, and television while in bed, exercise, caffeine, and alcohol too close to bedtime as the most common sleep disruptors. \u201cMedications and undiagnosed sleep disorders can cause significant sleep issues as well,\u201d says McGrath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why would a man have trouble sleeping?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, physical and mental health concerns and lifestyle choices contribute to sleep problems in men. \u201cConditions like anxiety<\/a>, depression<\/a>, or substance use can interfere with the ability to maintain a consistent sleep schedule,” says Benge. “A lack of exercise can also play a role in sleep deprivation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trouble snoozing? Here are the <\/em>most effective ways to fall asleep fast<\/a><\/em>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most of us invest time and money in the pursuit of a good night\u2019s sleep because it\u2019s essential to our overall health and wellness\u2014and it feels amazing too. Most women, that is.  Studies show over 60% of men believe they’re\u00a0naturally healthier than others\u00a0and often skip annual check-ups and exams recommended for their age group.\u00a0 This is alarming, as, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":162,"featured_media":34674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[389,390],"tags":[],"coauthors":[492],"guest":[],"host":[],"class_list":["post-34673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sleep-health","category-sleep-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/162"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34673"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34682,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34673\/revisions\/34682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34673"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=34673"},{"taxonomy":"guest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guest?post=34673"},{"taxonomy":"host","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/host?post=34673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}