4 Sleep Concerns for Aging Adults
By Brandi Goodman
As people get older, sleep often becomes more difficult to achieve. Whether due to stress, health concerns, or other factors, aging adults simply fail to achieve adequate rest as needed. Consider these four sleep concerns for aging adults and discover ways to help yourself address them.
Insomnia
There are many reasons why a person suffers from insomnia. Whether you've simply left your TV on and awaken frequently to the light or sound of it, or you have a deeper issue going on, you need to pinpoint the culprit so you can get better sleep at night. Struggling with insomnia will lead to stress, poor health, and irritability, all of which will only worsen your sleep abilities.
Never Reaching Deep Sleep Stages
Many seniors report not being able to reach deep sleep. They may get rest at night, but they never quite reach the REM stage where dreams that can be remembered are achieved. If you notice you aren't remembering any of your dreams, it may be time to find out why you aren't sleeping deeply.
Stress
Feelings of stress can easily keep you up at night. When too many things are on your mind, you tend to stay awake worrying about them. Do your best to combat stress levels during the day so you can rest easier at night. Keeping a journal is one option. You should take note of all things positive that occurred during your day so you can focus on those rather than the negatives that stress you out.
Alcohol Use
Older adults are able to engage in alcohol use when they want. Anyone over the age of 21 can suffer from the problems alcohol brings for sleep. Drink before bed and you may be more likely to experience feelings of stress and depression. Alcohol also affects our ability to reach REM sleep. If you already have this trouble, then adding alcohol to the mix will not do you any favors. In fact, it could worsen your predicament. Avoid alcohol where possible -- particularly in the few hours before you plan on hitting the sack.
Adequate sleep is necessary each and every night if you want to maintain both your physical and mental well-being. As you age, make note of any changes in your sleep habits and patterns so they can be addressed with your doctor if needed. Medication may be required if you struggle even with helpful tips in mind.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Baltimore, Md.