Do you get a good night's sleep every night and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to greet the day? It's surprising how many women will answer "no" to that question. Or maybe it's not so surprising at all. An article in the News-Record out of Greensboro North Carolina tells us:

At each stage of life - from youth to old age, through pregnancy, baby care and menopause - women find that getting a good night's sleep is hard. And it becomes harder, not easier, as they age.

"Sure, guys are exhausted, but they're not blindsided by their biology," says Meir Kryger, chairman of the task force that designed this year's poll for the National Sleep Foundation. "They don't have babies. They don't have menopause."

Sleep is one of the necessities of life, like air, water and food. Sleep deprivation affects the body and the mind. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system, leaving you open to all sorts of illnesses. Lack of sleep makes you irritable, interferes with your concentration and slows responses.

The Body of Wealth blog uncovered even more problems caused by not getting enough sleep:

Moreover, sleeping problems affect several of other activities as the survey itself reveals that women with sleeping troubles uncovered 'bouquet of problems' like lack of sleep caused them to be late to work, experience high stress, feel depressed or anxious, forego exercise, be too tired for sex, drive while drowsy and have little time for personal or family relationships.

Lack of sleep, believe it or not, can even cause weight gain.

Sleep is a necessity and a right. So - fight for your rights and get the sleep you need.