Tune Sleep habits to lessen aging process

Old age is a period of several physical and mental changes. Besides these drastic changes, sleep pattern is also affected in elderly people. Normally there is fallacy that sleep level declines as people grow older but this is not true. Plethora of researches signified that sleep remains constant during adulthood. It is established in medical researches that the sleep cycle is recurrent several times during the night and although total sleep time tends to remain constant, elderly people spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep than in deep sleep.

Numerous research studies have revealed that elder group usually sleep as much each day as younger adults. Older people often take daytime dozes as well as sleeping at night. But as a result of aging process, there is a risk of some sleep disorders. Certain medical conditions that develop with ageing can disturb sleep. Sleeping pills are best used only for short periods of time. Mental illness like anxiety and depression can both hinder sleep pattern as well as cause sleeplessness during the night. Other diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s syndrome can make sleep worse. People with such ailment are more confused at night and may stroll around the house. This is disturbing for both the person with the disease and the care taker.

If we scan physical problems, the most problematic and long-term sleep snags in elderly people are due to ailments like lung disease, arthritis, reflux and heart disease.

It is advised that thorough medical check-up is required to determine the cause when older individuals experience tenacious trouble in falling or continuing asleep that is related with daytime problems.

Looking at mental and physical problems associated with age that affect sleep pattern, it is need of the hour to adopt good habits and challenge aging process. 

-      Good lifestyle habits can make sleep better. In order to resolve the sleep problem as growing old is to espouse some good food habits such as reduce caffeine intake, avoid heavy meals late at night, and reduce daytime sleep.

-      A light bedtime snack may be supportive. Many people find that warm milk increases sleepiness, because it contains a natural, sedative-like amino acid.

-      It is important to do physical exercise and be active. Energetic elderly people report less sleep problems as compared to those who are sluggish.

-      it is recommended to avoid excessively stimulation, such as violent TV shows or computer games, before sleep. It is better to practice relaxation techniques at bedtime.

-      it is strongly recommended to avoid tobacco products, especially before sleep.

It is to be noted that young people also must take good sleep because working for long hours during night and less sleep aid to accelerate aging process. It is better to take precautions at early stage of life to enjoy old age period.