Sleep and changes with age.

Sleep and the changes that occur with age are clearly related, due to various factors and behaviors affecting sleep. It's easy to observe that as we get older, sleep patterns tend to change. Some people may go to bed late and wake up early, experience interrupted sleep, or even have insomnia. These are not normal occurrences and should not be ignored. It's important to pay more attention to and prioritize your sleep.

How does sleep change as we age?

1. The time it takes to fall asleep will shift earlier, with you gradually feeling sleepy in the early evening or earlier than usual. For example, if you used to feel sleepy at 9 PM, you might feel sleepy as early as 7 PM instead.
2. The feeling of freshness upon waking up or the feeling of having had a restful night's sleep may be reduced because some older adults may not get enough sleep, meaning they experience more light sleep than deep sleep, or they may wake up after only a short time of sleep, resulting in discontinuous sleep.
3. There is an increased need for daytime naps, resulting from decreased feelings of freshness upon waking or a reduced feeling of restful sleep, as some older adults may not be getting enough sleep.

Sleep patterns commonly found in older adults.

• Snoring or having sleep apnea.
• Difficulty falling asleep, or waking up frequently during the night, to the point where it feels like you haven't slept at all.
• I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back asleep.
• I experience fatigue during the day.
• Feeling unrested, didn't get enough sleep.

How can I get a full and effective night's sleep?

• Wake up and go to bed at a consistent time.
• Go to bed when you feel sleepy.
• You shouldn't spend too much time in bed or do anything in bed other than sleeping.
• Exercise regularly.
• If you need to take a nap during the day, you can, but it shouldn't exceed 1-2 hours and should be done before 3 PM.