A RESTFUL night's sleep is essential to our general health and well-being but we are a nation of insomniacs.
In fact up to 15 per cent of Britons are thought to be suffering from this complaint at any one time.
But now sleep experts have discovered that it is in fact less educated women who are up to twice as likely to suffer from insomnia as their male counterparts.
The new research, published in the Journal Of Epidemiology And Community Health, shows that uneducated women are far more likely to become insomniacs than their more scholarly equivalents, according to scientists at the Taipei City Psychiatric Centre in Taiwan.
'The stress associated with single parenthood, loss of income or the stigma of a marriage breakdown could all be possible factors,' explains Dr Ying-Yeh Chen, who led the report.
'Unemployment also exerted a greater impact on women's sleep quality - particularly married women - and sex discrimination in the workplace and childcare could account for this.'
Sleep deprivation can lead to lack of concentration, clumsiness, memory loss, vulnerability to illnesses and loss of intelligence.
If you are suffering from insomnia, follow these tips to help you get a good night's rest for once:
Get into a regular sleeping pattern. Ensure your bedroom is not too hot or cold, and is quiet and dark. Make sure your bed is comfortable. Take a swim or a walk to relieve the day's stresses. Cut down on drinking tea or coffee in the evening, and try a hot milky drink or herbal tea instead. Don't over-indulge in food or alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, but will interrupt your sleep later in the night. Take a relaxing bath or listen to quiet music before going to bed.
For further information about insomnia and other sleep disorders visit: sleepcouncil.com
