Sleep is one of the most important facets of our health. Getting a good night of sleep can make a world of difference in how your day goes. It’s the biggest determining factor of energy, mood, and productivity for that day. It’s commonly known that the ideal amount of sleep is 8 hours. Seniors must get adequate sleep to prevent cognitive decline or a decrease in senses. However, getting good sleep is something many seniors struggle with. Therefore, here are some tips on how to get better sleep for older adults.
Skipping Naps
Naps can be a great thing to boost energy during the day. However, they may cause some people to feel too awake at night. This can lead to falling asleep later or not sleeping properly. If this is the case, try to refrain from napping or shorten the time of naps.
Addressing Your Sleep Environment
Sometimes, you may find yourself doing all the right things to get a good night of sleep but still cannot manage to get a full 8 hours in. Try looking around the room you’re sleeping in. Is it too hot or cold? Is there light coming in from outside? Is your bed the right size or stiffness? There are many things in or around your room that could be hindering your sleep and go completely unnoticed.
Using the Bedroom for Sleep Only
Our brains are very interesting in the way that they use association. When we associate two things, it’s hard for our brain to break that relationship. Therefore, it’s best not to work or lounge in your bed during the day. If you tend to do this, you’re likely to subconsciously associate the bed with a place of activity. We want our brains to associate our beds with sleep and sleep only.
Not Relying on Sleep Aids
Many people frequently rely on aids like melatonin to fall asleep. Using sleep aids from time to time most likely will not have negative effects. However, continual use of these could cause a chemical imbalance in your body, resulting in your sleep cycle being completely thrown off.
Limiting Liquids Before Bed
Although we should be hydrating throughout the day, we should limit the amount we drink in the hours before bed. Drinking too much before bed can lead to a full bladder, causing sudden wake-ups to go to the bathroom during the night.
Evergreen Senior Living values the benefits of a good night’s sleep. We make sure that our residents are equipped with the proper environment to do so, one that feels like home. For more information on our community or amenities, give us a call or visit our website today!
