Anxiety Doesn't Sleep: 20 Things Keeping Women Up at Night

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Are you a woman up all night unable to sleep? Do you look at your husband and wonder how he can quickly fall asleep while your mind races?

As women, we have so many things that we need to think about from meals, work, and kids; it’s no wonder someone was asking Reddit what keeps women up at night.

1. Insomnia

Insomnia seems to be a very common issue among women.

“People do not at all realize how debilitating this is. I think it’s more of a public education issue, but man, when a friend/acquaintance is like, “I only got 6 hours sleep last night, I get you,” meanwhile, you’re on 0 hours sleep in 50+ hours, and meanwhile your hallucinations are escalating as well as growing inability to remember anything (especially very common words).”

Another added, “Ugh, I’ve literally had colleagues with kids complaining endlessly about only getting FIVE hours of sleep. Like, what are you on about? The last five nights I’ve gotten a maximum of two hours of sleep per night, but I’m not here moaning about it.”

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2. Regretting Their 20s

A few people had regrets about their twenties but many came to the rescue offering some great insights.

“The fact that I wasted my 20s and I’m now fat, single, and have no real career.”

One user added, “Everyone will have 20s full of regrets. Bad people, bad career choices. For the first 20 years of life, your parents are there to guide you. The next 10 you figure s**t out. Then the real game starts. You’ve had this realization. Start now.”

“I’m 28, and as I get older, I now understand why people say in your 30s that’s when you really get to enjoy yourself, and you mold into a better you. Still figuring myself out !”

3. Needing to Lose Weight

Although we see more and more about accepting ourselves women are still feeling the pressure to lose weight.

“Fear of not being good enough for anyone or anything. That I’ll never lose the damn weight. That my partner will eventually find someone that fits his “type.” Such fun.”

“I am a bigger lady. Started to lose just one pound a week. That adds up to 52 lbs a year. And I only made small changes. Lost actually more than just a pound a week. ( but only aimed for one pound a week ) 35 lbs down .”

4. Bad Choices in Men

Regretting who they spent their time with in the past.

“Shi**y men mostly. And I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I worked dead end jobs.”

Another commented, “Same. Wasted my 20s on “jobs” not careers and men who did not want anything permanent. At 32, I have just started a career, and it keeps me busy, but I am happy. Still don’t have that romantic relationship I’ve always wanted, but my new career is my focus now.”

5. Mental Illness

Mental illness is a common reason women aren’t sleeping. Be sure to ask for help as a user suggested while giving some great advice.

“I’m barely starting my adult life, and my mental health is back to being sh*t.”

Another commented, “How mental illness has ruined my 20s. I’m almost 30, and I’m single. I have no kids, no job, and no driver’s license. I’m useless.”

A commenter added some great advice. “I can relate. When I was in my 20’s, I thought the same thing. But over the years (15 to be exact), slowly, things started to fall into place. It’s all about pacing your life, not expecting the most out of others, and focusing on the main goal you want to achieve.

Whatever that may be…. And as for mental health goes, go see a therapist or a counselor or talk to a trusted friend, getting your thoughts out and or on paper works WONDERS!! I also see a therapist, and it’s probably the best thing I could’ve ever done for myself.”

6. Money Trouble

Financial hardships keep many awake at night.

“Money troubles. I get to saving and will immediately be blindsided by something costly.”

Another commented, “How am I going to pay these bills? How am I going to pay these bills? How am I going to pay these bills?”

7. Anxiety

The anxiety of life keeps us awake at night. Your mind races and you just can’t sleep.

“Overthinking, my anxiety, insomnia, my shi**y relationship, and a vast array of health problems. Love being an adult.”

Another added. “Life in general, anxiety, stress“

One offered some advice on how to help night time anxiety. “Same. I fall asleep easier by listening to a podcast with a large catalog of episodes that is on a topic that I’m interested in, but it’s academic and somewhat dry, and the host has a gentle, even speaking tone. This allows me to focus on what he is saying and drown out my anxious thoughts, but I’m not hanging off every word, dying to know what happens next. I set the sleep timer to turn it off after an hour, and I’ve never made it that far without falling asleep. The podcast is called The History of the English Language.”

8. Parenting Worries

Do parenting issues keep you up at night? Being a parent is hard. It’s not surprising to see these comments.

One woman said, “I failed my son by choosing his father, who I’m no longer with. I gave him a broken family & a father who doesn’t care.”

9. Snoring

Snoring is definitely a sleep disturbance for many.

“My dog snoring and my insomnia.”

Another commenter added, “My boyfriend and my dog seeing who can snore louder.”

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10. Zoomies

Do you have cats zooming around your house at night?

“Mine both do, or they come and sleep on our chests, purring stupidly loudly for hours.”

“My cats having zoomies and my partner snoring. It’s a wonderful life.”

11. Regrets in General

The regrets of life keep so many awake. Here’s a comment that we can all relate to.

“Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve but didn’t.”

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12. Arguing with People In Your Head

Have you ever walked away from a situation wishing you had said something different?

“Arguing with people I didn’t have the balls to argue with in real life.”

“Then getting overly upset afterward.” Someone else added.

Another added, “Same for me. Usually, my boss.”

13. What Ifs

What if we said yes? What if we took that job? What if he was the one? What if someone gets sick? What if something awful happens?

“All the what if’s that can massively change a life in a second. What if My child gets cancer? What if My husband doesn’t wake up in the morning? What if My cat gets hit by a car? What if there’s an accident, and I lose my arms and can’t hug My kids anymore? What if, at any second, the phone rings and brings a call that stops the world and drops a person to their knees.”

14. Kids

How many times a night do your kids wake you up?

“My kids. Who needs sleep anyway? It used to be my insomnia, but they managed to make me so dead on my feet that I’d say having kids is like a cure for insomnia cause you’re not even running on steam anymore. It’s all smokes and mirrors effect; you’re barely even alive.”

“My kids! LOL”

15. World Issues

With so much going on around the world right now, it’s no surprise many mentioned world issues.

“The injustice in the world.”

Another added, “Climate Change.”

“The climate temperature clock. The way patriarchy/capitalism has killed …. everything.”

16. Reddit

These comments made me giggle.

“Scrolling Reddit, apparently. It’s 4:30 am in my timezone.”

“Reddit.”

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17. Reading

There’s nothing like getting lost in a good book before bed right?

“One more chapter…”

“A really good book lately, I’ve been reading wayyyy too late.”

18. The Joys of Womanhood

Things that only women would understand.

“Endometriosis.” another added, “Hot flashes. F*** you, peri-menopause.”

“Menstrual cramps.”

19. Phones

Late-night phone scrolling gets many of us.

“TikTok.” and “My phone”

20. Being Hungry or Thirsty

They say the rule is no eating or drinking two hours before bed.

“Being hungry or thirsty. Happens all the time when I’m having trouble sleeping even though my food and water intake is no different from days I sleep perfectly well. Being overstimulated from the days’ events can keep me awake a long time too.”

You can read the full Reddit thread here. This article is inspired by the internet and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Motherhood Life Balance.

Anxiety Doesn’t Sleep: 20 Things Keeping Women Up at Night