Women’s brains work 5x faster? Seriously.

‘Tis the season of little sleep. Why should you fight for those extra 20 minutes? Keep reading. 

WHAT’S ON DECK

• Tell Me More: Why Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men?

• Troublemaker Spotlight: Vivian Odior, Global Head of Marketing at WhatsApp

• Dear FQ: Back to Work After a Career Pause

• Poll the Pack: Your 2025 Workplace Superpower: Visibility

TELL ME MORE

Why do women need more sleep than men? Study finds they use their brains more throughout the day.

We don’t have to tell you that men’s and women’s brains function differently across the board. But did you know that different brain activity requires different amounts of sleep, too?

A study from Loughborough University found that women need, on average, 20 additional minutes of sleep per night compared to men. Why? Their brain activity.

“Women tend to multi-task, they do lots at once and are flexible, and so they use more of their actual brain than men do,” says Professor Jim Horne.

And it’s not just one study that found this to be true. Researchers from the Amen Clinics compared over 46,000 brain scans and found that women’s brains were more active in a few key areas like:

• Focus

• Impulse control

• The limbic areas of the brain (associated with emotions, mood, and anxiety)

This might explain why women traditionally exhibit greater empathy, intuition, collaboration, and self-control, but it also confirms the downside to this elevated brain activity. An increased blood flow in the limbic system translates to women being at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and insomnia too.

What does all of this increased brain activity translate to? More productivity!

"What we have found is that women, in many different tasks, process information about five times faster than men, and use much less of their brain to do identical cognitive performance,” says Dr. Apostolos Georgopoulos, the director of the Brain Science Centre at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

All of that productivity requires energy. AKA sleep. Something you’re probably not getting enough of in the U.S., according to Kanwal L Haq, medical anthropologist and founder of TCY Women.

“Despite research repeatedly showing that our brains and bodies need appropriate rest, American culture continues to celebrate female leaders who embody the 'hustle 24/7' mindset, reflecting societal values that equate constant productivity with success.” 

So what countries and cultures can we look to for inspiration to embrace rest? Luckily, many, according to Kanwal. 

“Across cultures, societal norms often disregard women’s biological need for rest, as they are expected to juggle caregiving, household, and work responsibilities with little support. However, there are long-standing traditions that prioritize and support rest for women. For example, lying-in practices in Europe, zuo yue zi in Asia, and Omugwo in Africa focus on recovery during the postpartum period. Additionally, other cultures and practices recognize women’s need for rest through approaches tied to menstruation, energy exertion, or systemic work-life balance policies, such as Indigenous tribes with 'moon lodges,' Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine, and Scandinavian policies on gender equity.” 

The Loughborough study found that the minimum sleep required for both men and women was six hours. Taking into account the additional 20 minutes women need, it might be time to reconsider your morning alarm (or turn off Netflix before it automatically resumes) so that your brain gets the rest it deserves.

TROUBLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT

Vivian Odior, Global Head of Marketing at WhatsApp

How do you get to lead the marketing team for a global app used by 2.5 billion (with a b) users? Ask Vivian Odior. Named one of Ad Age’s “40 Under 40,” Vivian has an impressive resume, including 8 years at Johnson & Johnson, and geographically vast market experience with special attention to Africa and the Middle East. A champion of diversity, inclusion, and representation, you’ll find Vivian speaking on stages everywhere, from BuzzFeed to Cannes. No stranger to accolades, her campaigns for WhatsApp have received over 200 nominations, and it’s safe to say there will be more to come.  

FQ: What’s the worst career advice you’ve gotten?

VO: “Don’t eff up again.” I thought this advice was lazy. It invoked fear instead of pushing me to consider bold, creative choices, and made it seem like people wake up TRYING to mess things up.

What’s the best piece of non-obvious career advice you’ve gotten?

“You grow where you are planted.” There is so much pressure to BE READY for the next challenge or opportunity, but quite often, it’s about having the right mindset, a can-do attitude, and a willingness to learn. You end up growing where you are because you invest.

What was a “heartbeat moment” for you in your career?

Having my mom on set with me while filming in Nigeria was so powerful. She got to see her baby grown up in her homeland. I was so glad we could experience that together. 

Imagine you just received the marketing version of an Emmy award. Who are the three people you’re thanking that aren’t at your current gig?

I feel like my parents are a given, but I want to officially say it out loud so they KNOW I counted them - ha!

Janis Smith-Gomez was the 1st Black Woman VP I ever worked for, and she showed me so much kindness.

Manoj Raghunandanan was the big brother, mentor, and boss who took me under his wing and pushed me.

Where have you caused some good trouble in your career?

I often look back at my younger self in awe of how often I spoke up directly to my organization about the lack of representation in our work and safe spaces for marginalized communities in the workplace. It led to greater, more meaningful work in my Clean & Clear and Tylenol era, that I'm so proud of.

DEAR FQ

Your burning career questions answered

Amber Coleman-Mortley of The Female Quotient weighs in:

Re-entering the workforce after a career break can be challenging, but with the right support system, strategies, and mindset, you’ll be back up and running in the professional world. Before I share a few tactical tips, I want to remind you to be kind to yourself. Being a mother is one of the most all-consuming jobs out there. As you enter this new phase, don't be afraid to seek help when you need it.

When it comes to finding the right job, assess your skills and interests first.

• Reflect on your career goals.

• Identify the transferable skills you gained from parenting, such as project management, multitasking, and problem-solving.

• Consider consulting with a career counselor to help you clarify your career path.

Once you’re ready to start applying, update your resume and LinkedIn profile. 

• Emphasize skills that are relevant to your desired career path.

• Be honest about your career gaps.

• Tailor your resume for each job application to highlight the role-specific skills and experiences.

Around 80% of jobs come through our networks, so network strategically:

• Reconnect with former colleagues and seek their advice and support.

• Attend industry events and conferences to meet new people and stay updated on industry trends.

• Utilize LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field and join relevant groups.

And last but certainly not least, build up your confidence wherever you can! Remind yourself of your skills and accomplishments and talk to your friends, family, or a therapist about your concerns and fears. Looking for energy to keep applying? Prioritize activities that help you relax and recharge.

P.S. Got a burning career question? Serve it up here to Dear FQ to score advice from a powerhouse leader in our network.

POLL THE PACK

Your 2025 workplace superpower: Visibility

We hear you. Visibility is linked to better raises, promotions, and projects, so it pays to be seen. Literally. But in the era of hybrid or remote work, how can you stay visible?

If your team has dedicated office days, make it a point to be there so you can connect in person. When you’re working remotely, clear communication goes a long way. Be proactive and communicate when you’re out for appointments, and try to respond quickly when you’re in full work mode. Even a simple check-in with your colleagues can go a long way. Think about the normal office “hello” you might have and find an online version that feels good to you.

Staying visible while working from home requires a little extra effort, but the payoff is well worth it, not to mention the flexibility, productivity, and reduced commute.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us. The entire FQ team wishes you a happy holiday season and a New Year filled with the career and opportunities you deserve.

Now go get some sleep! Your brain deserves it.

Xo,

The FQ