Insomnia does increase with age. Waking up in pain also increases with age. The older we get the harder it can be to get a solid night’s sleep, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these simple tips to keep sleeping like a baby, even as you age.
Reserve Your Bedroom for Sleeping
Keep computer and TV time in another room. When you reserve your bedroom strictly for sleeping, it limits the amount of time you’re looking at blue light from electronics and trains your mind to get ready for bed as soon as you enter the room.
As we get older we become more sensitive to the stimuli of blue light – so ditch the screens and read a book under low-watt lamp instead.
Try and Stick to A Sleep Schedule
When we get older, our circadian rhythm can become more sensitive to change. Make sure you’re going to bed at the same time every day — even on the weekends.
Pick a time that works for you and do your best to stick to it. Your body will become trained, and you’ll be able to fall asleep and wake up on a schedule, regardless of age.
Avoid the Mid-Day Snooze
We’ve all experienced it… nodding off while watching TV or just “closing your eyes” for a few minutes. Napping will always sound nice (especially during a pandemic) but can be disruptive to your night sleep schedule.
Training yourself to avoid napping is a huge factor in dealing with sleep and age. Exercise or keep yourself active, it will help tire your body so that sleep comes naturally when you reach your 9PM bedtime.
Watch the Caffeine
Caffeine sensitivity is also linked to age – that 4PM pick-me-up cup of coffee wasn’t so bad when you were 25, but at ages 50+ it can keep you awake well into the night.
Some older people have such an extreme sensitivity to caffeine that they need twelve hours without it before they can sleep. Keep your morning cup of joe as you age, but maybe switch to decaf or tea when the afternoon hours hit.
Evaluate Your Current Mattress
Are you waking up in pain? The older we get, the more aches and pains we have – it’s just the way of life. Investing in a quality comfortable mattress is arguably the most important sleep tip of them all. Minimize those struggles by making sure you’re sleeping on a mattress that provides the perfect amount of comfort, but especially “individual support” that aligns to the natural curves of your body for pain relieving sleep. The SleepOvation mattress is the top choice for pain relief and its individual support system. Plus, perks like free shipping straight to your door, free returns and a 100-night sleep trial. What are you waiting for?
Media Contact: Lauren Fudale - laurenfudale@sleepovation.com