Maintaining good sleep is a crucial yet often underrated pillar of a persons wellbeing and general health. Despite this, there is limited guidance on how and why the various phases women experience in their lifetime may impact their quality of sleep, and what can be done to improve it.
This practical and accessible guide for health professionals introduces the concept of female sleep health across the lifetime, including key stages such as menstruation, fertility, working life, birth, perimenopause, and menopause. It also addresses sleep disorders, pain, and the impact poor sleep may have on mental health.
Readers will benefit from practical and detailed strategies on improving sleep, guidance on sleep aides and technology, and signposts to when clinical intervention is needed.
Sarah Gilchrist (BSc. MSc. DProf. FBASES) spent over 20 years working in the high-performance sport industry, latterly as a Technical Lead for the UK Sports Institute and Senior Physiologist with British Rowing. Her doctorate specialised in sleep and athletic performance, and she now provides consultancy on a range of performance areas, particularly relating to sleep. She is on the advisory committee of The Sleep Charity, a member of The British Sleep Society, previous Chair of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) Accreditation committee and is a High Performance Sport Accredited practitioner.
Glossary of terms Chapter 1. Whats it all about then? An introduction to the concept of female sleep health and why I was motivated to write this book. Chapter 2. The what, why and how of sleep A straightforward scientific description of what sleep is and how it is regulated. Also includes information about scientific tools to measure and analyse sleep. Chapter 3. Sleep and age An outline of how sleep needs change over the course of a lifetime Chapter 4. Female sleep specifics: puberty and the menstrual cycle and sleep Sleep issues relating to these aspects of a womans life. Chapter 5. Female sleep specifics: fertility, pregnancy and sleep Sleep issues relating to these aspects of a womans life. Chapter 6. Female sleep specifics: perimenopause, menopause and sleep Sleep issues relating to these aspects of a womans life. Chapter 7. Female sleep specifics: sleep disorders, pain and mental health Sleep issues relating to these aspects of a womans life. Chapter 8. Female sleep specifics: shift work and carer responsibilities Sleep issues relating to these aspects of a womans life. Chapter 9. Strategies for good sleep health How to consider a strategy for good sleep and some practical solutions Chapter 10. Comments on contemporary sleep and closing remarks A consideration of sleep across the generations, sleep in society and future directions for practitioner training. Signposting References
An evidence-based guide on how to support and improve womens sleep throughout the lifecycle.
Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity
The Essential Guide to Womens Sleep is a much-needed, science-backed book that empowers women to understand and improve their sleep through every life stage, but also provides a useful resource for practitioners who support them. Dr Sarah Gilchrist, a leading expert in sleep and recovery, brings a wealth of experience from her work with elite athletes, public health and academic research. Her knowledge of sleep health, combined with a practical, compassionate approach, makes her the perfect guide to navigate the complex and often overlooked relationship between women and sleep.
Professor Greg Whyte OBE PhD DSc FCASES FACSM
Quality sleep is central to health and performance, however, the requirements of men and women are different. In The Essential Guide to Womens Sleep, Dr. Gilchrist provides a detailed, evidence based, explanation of female sleep across the age span, including key events such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. It is a wonderful resource to help women understand the importance of sleep, and how to improve sleep quality to enhance health and performance.
Sue Stockdale, Polar explorer and Leadership Coach
The Essential Guide to Womens Sleep earns its place on the desk, not the bookshelf and is destined to be well-thumbed, highlighted, and returned to often. Its clear, accessible, and absolutely essential reading.
