Everyone wants a good night’s rest. Getting enough sleep at night helps you stay attentive and healthy. But many older individuals don’t sleep well. If you feel sleepy every time, it may be time to see a health care specialist. If you are waking up every day feeling tired, then there is something wrong.
Link between sleep and age
Everyone needs about the same amount of sleep whether it is an older adult or younger adult. One should sleep for 7 to 9 hours each night. Older people tend to nap more during the daytime, which can make it difficult to fall asleep at night.
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There are two kinds of sleep namely rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You have the deepest sleep during non-REM sleep and dream mostly REM sleep. As we age, we tend to spend less time in deep sleep. This is the reason why it is called that older people are often light sleepers.
Sleeping Problems
There are numerous reasons why older people sleep less at night. Any illness or feeling of being in pain makes it difficult to sleep. Regular napping during day hours can also disturb your night’s sleep. Use of some medications can also be the reason of not getting enough sleep. Your reason behind not sleeping at night can be any one of these if you don’t get enough night’s sleep, the next day you may:
- Feel tired and depressed
- Feel very sleep during the day
- Be irritable
- Have more falls or accidents
Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep issues in people of age 60 and older. Individuals who have insomnia find difficulty sleeping and staying asleep. The problem can last up to days, months, or sometimes years. If you are having trouble falling asleep at night, you may:
- Wake up numerous times in the night
- Wake up tired in the morning
- Take a long to fall asleep
- Wake up early in the morning and not able to fall asleep again
- Feel sleepy whole day
Among the numerous causes of insomnia, some can be controlled, but the other can’t. For example, if you are excited about something or tensed, you may have difficulty sleeping. Sometimes insomnia can be an indication of other health problems. Also, the problems could be an adverse effect of a medication or a health condition.
Some older individuals who find difficulty sleeping at night tends to use over the sleep medications. Always remember a prescription drug for a short time might you sleep, but they are not a cure for insomnia. It is important that you develop good and healthy habits at bedtime to help you get a good sleep at night.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is also considered to be a serious sleep issue. This problem is important to treat at the right time because if not treated; sleep apnea can result in health problems such as memory loss, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Tips to fall asleep naturally
Here are some natural sleep aids to help you fall asleep at night. These following natural sleep remedies promote night sleep and keep you healthy:
- Keep calm and set the mood for a comfortable sleep atmosphere
- Relax your body
- You can use colors to stimulate calmness and relaxation
- Relieve your mind of tension and worry
- Use herbs and vitamins to fall asleep naturally
- Drink herbal teas and warm drinks to make yourself calm
- Listen to music to relax your mind; it is one of the best sleep aid
- Understand the importance of physical activity in your life
Also Read: Natural Sleep Remedies for Better Sleep
All of the techniques and natural sleeping aids mentioned above can be applied naturally and easily in your life. With the help of these sleep remedies, get ready to embark on the journey of falling asleep naturally.
