Husband says there's a scientific reason he doesn't let wife wake up early — and it actually makes a lot more sense

Many women would love to sleep in instead of getting up early and starting their day, even just for a day. Acquiring the opportunity to skip the morning hassle of preparing meals, getting kids ready or finishing other chores and getting a good sleep is often a dream for many women. An author, dad and husband, Niraj Naik–who goes by @nirajnaikofficial on Instagram–said that he ensures his wife gets extra sleep compared to him. In his video, he explained that he doesn’t wake his wife up early and handles things himself for a scientific reason. It is eye-opening for many. Naik mentioned that he woke up at 6 am and was busy preparing breakfast for his kids before getting them ready for school.

Naik further mentioned that he prefers not to wake his wife up early in the morning for a reason. “Women need more sleep than men. They have more complex brain activities and more hormonal fluctuations,” Naik explained. He added that women can experience more disturbances during their sleep, which is why they need a few more hours to catch up. Elaborating further in his caption, Naik wrote, “Ladies, your body isn’t just getting through the day. It’s balancing hormones, handling stress, healing, and restoring. That takes energy. That takes time. And yes—that takes sleep.” 

He noted that science suggests women need more sleep, “not because you’re weaker—but because you’re doing more behind the scenes. Your body is always working, even when you’re still.” But what exactly does science say? Sleep disorders specialist Michelle Drerup, PsyD, noted that women need a good amount of sleep. “For most adults, the average sleep need is seven to nine hours, but everybody’s sleep need is different and when it comes to sleep and your health, every minute counts,” she explained, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Along with the reasons Naik pointed out, even sleep disorders and depression were cited among the reasons that hinder women’s sleep more than men's. According to the Sleep Foundation, women may also have constant caregiving responsibilities that affect their sleeping patterns. Additionally, women are more likely to experience chronic pain and 40% more likely to deal with insomnia. Dr. Audrey Wells, a sleep medicine physician and a CPAP expert, noted, “Invisible burdens can weigh on a woman’s mind and interrupt sleep because they generate emotions that are incompatible with sleep.” With so many factors affecting females’ sleep quality, they must get those few extra minutes of sleep before they can tackle the day.

So, how much extra sleep do women require? According to Medicalxpress, previous studies have noted that women require 11 more minutes of sleep than men, but they often fail to get it. This can be due to several factors, including physical and emotional discomfort. Sharing a friendly reminder to the men out there, Naik said, “Men—listen up. Understanding this isn’t just smart. It’s kind. It’s how we build support, respect and real connection. Honor your rest. Respect her rest. Let’s stop glorifying exhaustion and start protecting recovery.”

You can follow Niraj Naik (@nirajnaikofficial) on Instagram for more content on health.