In bedrooms across the country, long after the lights are out, many Filipino women, especially mothers are still wide awake—running through mental checklists, replaying the day, and bracing for the next. Sleep, for many, isn’t rest. It’s another thing they have to squeeze into a packed and unforgiving schedule.
A 2025 study shows the country ranks third globally for sleep deprivation. Filipinos average just 6.15 hours of rest each night—far below the recommended 7 to 9 hours. But sleep loss does more than leave you tired. It increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. It weakens the immune system, affects memory, and makes daily stress harder to handle.
Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline.
The Invisible Load Keeping Women Awake
For many Filipino women, poor sleep isn’t about bad habits—it’s the result of nonstop demands. Annalyn Lazaga, assistant country manager at wellness brand LAC Philippines, says women are expected to manage the household, care for children and elders, and excel at work.
“Eventually, something has to give—and it’s often rest,” she says.
This imbalance causes chronic fatigue and raises the risk of health problems like hypertension. As caregiving and career duties pile up, sleep is often sacrificed.
The Cost of Losing Sleep
Sleep is when the body resets. Neurotransmitters rebalance, hormones stabilize, and the immune system recharges. When rest is disrupted, everything suffers.
Without enough sleep, people become more irritable, forgetful, and prone to illness. Long-term deprivation can lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout. It also hurts focus and emotional balance—making it harder to manage work and family.
Many try to catch up by sleeping in on weekends. But Lazaga says, “Sleeping four hours on weekdays and ten hours on Sunday doesn’t work. The body needs consistent, quality rest.”
Even eight hours won’t help if sleep is broken by noise, phone alerts, or caregiving interruptions.
Sleep is essential, but it’s only one part of what your body and mind truly need. Discover the 6 lesser-known types of rest that go beyond sleep — and why they might be the missing piece in your recovery. Read more: 6 Types of Rest You Didn’t Know You Needed
How to Sleep Better: Small Habits That Help
- Sleep and wake at the same time daily
- Turn off screens at least one hour before bed and make your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark.
- Avoid caffeine and heavy meals at night.
- Exercise regularly, it improves sleep. Just avoid working out before bedtime.
When Lifestyle Isn’t Enough
As more Filipinos explore natural sleep remedies, interest in non-medicated options continues to grow. Melatonin, magnesium, and herbal blends are among the tools people use to support better rest.
Melatonin is a hormone the body produces in response to darkness. It helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle, but stress and screen exposure can interfere. Foods like tart cherries, bananas, oats, and milk contain small amounts. When needed, supplements may help.
One option, Sleepasil, is among the gentle, non-medicated sleep aids some Filipinos turn to when natural rhythms are off. Other similar brands are available, and what works best varies from person to person.
Still, no supplement can replace what many women truly need: less pressure, more support, and a culture that respects rest.
We should remember one important truth, that sleep is a biological necessity, not a luxury. If you want to perform well—at work, for your family, or for yourself—you have to protect your personal time to rest deeply.
It’s now time to take sleep seriously, for your own good.
