Sleep and aging…what’s the deal with that? Do we need less or more sleep as we age? Or does it stay the same? How much does it matter? Life beyond 60 years of age can make us more prone to bouts of insomnia and daytime sleepiness. One reason is that, as we age, we lose some neurons in the brain that help us maintain our sleep patterns. Our circadian rhythm may also change, and this is why so many people find themselves going to sleep earlier and waking up earlier than they used to. We also get less deep, restorative sleep as we age.
Secondly, our schedules tend to change as we age. For many of us, retirement opens up a whole new world of freed up time and possibilities! We’re less likely to stay in a rigid daily structure of tasks, which were also the confines that used to set our sleep and wake cycle.
On the other hand, some people begin to sleep more as they age. This is something to keep an eye on. Seniors who sleep more than eight hours a day have been shown to have increased health issues, including significantly higher risk of stroke and heart disease, among other things.
While our bodies and brains change as we get older, our sleep needs really do not and should not. It becomes extra important for all of us to keep our focus on the hallmark of healthy sleep: consistency!
Here are six tips for a better night’s sleep:
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