Men may sleep better than women. Because of this, women need different treatments for sleep disorders. Insomnia is 1.5 times more common among women. One reason for this is our body clock. Women have about six minutes less time per day to rest. Another reason is motherhood. There are unequal stresses on mothers. A doctor said: "It's almost like their brain was half-listening out for their children in the middle of the night."

The stress of everyday life means more of us are finding it difficult to sleep. Around 30 per cent of people experience sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep can lead to life-threatening illnesses. These include diabetes and heart disease. Insufficient sleep can also negatively impact our concentration, and lead to poorer mental health. A neurologist said: "There is a high correlation with underlying psychiatric disorders and insomnia."