As the number of candles on your birthday cake continues to grow, you’ll start to realize a couple of changes happening to your life, among them your sleeping patterns. For starters, you may notice that you tend to sleep less often, wake up earlier than is usual, and (or) stay awake throughout the night. You get fewer hours to shut your eyes, or you find yourself at times falling asleep during the day.
According to recent research by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the study found that the healthier you are, the better you’ll sleep. Conversely, if you have more medical conditions, you are less likely to have a good sleep. This study was backed by CDC’s findings in 2014 that claimed that sleeping less than seven hours every night is closely associated with mental distress, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, and other conditions.
Many aged people are often prone to such medical conditions, which eventually translate into failed sleep patterns.
But first…
How much is enough?
There is no ‘right’ amount of sleep for everyone. What can be considered as enough for you might not be enough for someone else. However, experts still recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. If you feel like you’re getting much shorter sleep than you did when younger but still feel energetic, then you simply require less sleep than you did before.
However, if you feel a rundown because of the lack of enough sleep, here are some few ways to get you back to feeling healthier:
- Develop a more consistent sleep routine
Unlike machines, our mind takes time to get programmed into doing something by regularly following a specific routine. This might entail going to bed at the same time daily, falling asleep in the same position, taking a bath before bed, etc. All you need to do is create a routine that you can easily follow, and your body will get programmed into going to bed when such is followed.
- Go for comfortable bedding.
One of the easiest ways of finding quality sleep is by investing in good, comfortable bedding. If your mattress is due for a change, do not hesitate to get one that works best for your body without giving you joint pains in the morning.
Moreover, get more high-quality pillows too to body aches. As there are many different types of bedding that would be ideal for the aged, you can contact some of the best aged care bed suppliers in your region and receive excellent recommendations.
- Address your stress levels
Too many worries also negatively impact your sleeping patterns. Look for a strategy to cool off your steam and relax by focusing on something that takes your mind away from anxiety. This should inspire more pleasant dreams and sleep.
- Skip afternoon naps
Afternoon naps are actually okay, but only if you’re getting enough sleep at night. If you have insomnia, you’d be on the right track if you practiced skipping these afternoon naps.
- Improve your sleep environment
Essentially, a night of good sleep is free of too much light, noise, temperate climate, and a soothing environment. Find this for yourself, and you’ll see your sleeping patterns increase. Apart from that, change your sleeping environment by investing in good, quality products from professional aged care bed suppliers.
