Sleep Cycles in the Elderly - Quick Tips For Great Sleep
As people age, their bodies naturally change.
This can cause affects on the person's sleep cycles.
When they were younger, they could sleep through the night and feel refreshed in the morning, but now they have more rapid sleep cycles, with less of the deep sleep they need, and encounter more awakenings while sleeping.
Decrease in certain hormones can also affect the person's sleeping patterns.
They may want to go to bed earlier and also wake up earlier.
One fact is for certain; every one of all ages needs the adequate amount of sleep.
Seniors especially reap the benefits.
Having a good night's sleep will help the person concentrate clearer, have a better memory, and strengthens the immune system which in return helps to prevent diseases.
Unfortunately seniors seem to commonly complain about sleep issues.
These symptoms may include difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, not feeling rested in the morning, tiredness during the day, and needing to take naps.
There are some causes that are common with seniors that should be looked at.
Poor sleep hygiene is the most common cause of insomnia in the elderly.
Taking naps during the day, drinking caffeine or alcohol before bedtime, and irregular sleep patterns can all contribute.
Medical and pain issues is also a factor in disrupting sleep cycles.
Many types of medical conditions can affect sleeping.
Menopause, frequent urination, heartburn, and asthma are a few such conditions.
Taking medications can have side effects that may keep the person awake longer than they should be.
One other factor to remember is stress.
Losing a loved one, or living away from family can take its toll.
Being stressed can keep you awake and in return make you sleepier which leads to being more anxious and depressed.
Luckily there are some tips for the elderly to get the sleep they need.
Keeping a regular sleep schedule is one of them.
Going to sleep and waking at the same time every day of the week will help your body develop a pattern to know when it needs sleep.
Another way to get sleep cycles on track is monitoring medications.
Drugs that are being taken might be causing disruptions.
One other way for seniors to get the sleep they need is by exposing themselves to at least two hours of sunlight a day.
This promotes the hormone Melatonin to increase, which helps regulate your sleep cycle.
Our bodies may change over time, but that does not mean our sleep has to.
Knowing the causes of sleep issues in seniors will help to avoid those unwanted restless nights.
Getting the recommended amount of sleep is ideal for having many healthy and vibrant golden years ahead.
This can cause affects on the person's sleep cycles.
When they were younger, they could sleep through the night and feel refreshed in the morning, but now they have more rapid sleep cycles, with less of the deep sleep they need, and encounter more awakenings while sleeping.
Decrease in certain hormones can also affect the person's sleeping patterns.
They may want to go to bed earlier and also wake up earlier.
One fact is for certain; every one of all ages needs the adequate amount of sleep.
Seniors especially reap the benefits.
Having a good night's sleep will help the person concentrate clearer, have a better memory, and strengthens the immune system which in return helps to prevent diseases.
Unfortunately seniors seem to commonly complain about sleep issues.
These symptoms may include difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, not feeling rested in the morning, tiredness during the day, and needing to take naps.
There are some causes that are common with seniors that should be looked at.
Poor sleep hygiene is the most common cause of insomnia in the elderly.
Taking naps during the day, drinking caffeine or alcohol before bedtime, and irregular sleep patterns can all contribute.
Medical and pain issues is also a factor in disrupting sleep cycles.
Many types of medical conditions can affect sleeping.
Menopause, frequent urination, heartburn, and asthma are a few such conditions.
Taking medications can have side effects that may keep the person awake longer than they should be.
One other factor to remember is stress.
Losing a loved one, or living away from family can take its toll.
Being stressed can keep you awake and in return make you sleepier which leads to being more anxious and depressed.
Luckily there are some tips for the elderly to get the sleep they need.
Keeping a regular sleep schedule is one of them.
Going to sleep and waking at the same time every day of the week will help your body develop a pattern to know when it needs sleep.
Another way to get sleep cycles on track is monitoring medications.
Drugs that are being taken might be causing disruptions.
One other way for seniors to get the sleep they need is by exposing themselves to at least two hours of sunlight a day.
This promotes the hormone Melatonin to increase, which helps regulate your sleep cycle.
Our bodies may change over time, but that does not mean our sleep has to.
Knowing the causes of sleep issues in seniors will help to avoid those unwanted restless nights.
Getting the recommended amount of sleep is ideal for having many healthy and vibrant golden years ahead.
