How Older Adults Can Get More Sleep

It’s no secret that as we get older, we experience a lot of physical changes. While the saying goes that we “only get better with age,” the same isn’t true for our sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic more than 50% of adults age 65 and older suffer from at least one sleep issue.  Struggling to get the sleep you need nightly is a common problem as we age, but it is perfectly normal and a few small changes may help with occasional sleeplessness.

Why We Can’t Sleep

Our sleep becomes more precious as we get older, yet we tend to have a harder time falling asleep and sleeping soundly throughout the night1. Irregular sleep patterns lead to us being more tired during the day, affecting our energy levels, memory retention and mood.

While there are a number of factors that can contribute to your tossing and turning such as light, noise, illnesses and medication, research shows that as we age, the amount of melatonin our bodies produce naturally decreases, leading to occasional sleep issues. Melatonin is the hormone that regulates our sleep and wake cycles2. Without enough melatonin, your body does not receive the internal cues it needs to recognize that it is time for sleep or have high enough levels to allow you to stay asleep.

Fortunately, there are a few solutions to a better night’s sleep and a more refreshed morning.

Stick to a Routine

The habits and routines we follow throughout the day and before bed can play a major role in our sleep quality. Establishing a routine to which you actively adhere, helps your body understand that it is time for bed. The Sleep Hygiene Cycle™ can help improve your sleep overall with just seven simple steps, including avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, optimizing your bedroom for better sleep and practicing relaxing rituals like yoga or taking a warm bath to get both your mind and body ready for a good night’s rest.

Get Active

how exercise improves sleep

Exercising has numerous health benefits overall, but did you know it could be the secret to better quality sleep? Getting active daily won’t just make you healthier, it will also exhaust your mind and body, meaning you’ll be more likely to be ready for sleep when bedtime rolls around. Just be sure your exercise doesn’t interfere with your sleep. To prevent this, try to get in your daily workout earlier in the day. If you can’t find the time in the morning, just avoid any exercise for at least three hours before your bedtime.

Take REMfresh Nightly

Sometimes we need a little extra help from a supplement to get the sleep we need. However, not all melatonin sleep aids are the same. REMfresh was developed with our patented Ion-Powered Pump™ technology to continually release melatonin for up to seven hours, not only helping you fall asleep when your head hits the pillow but also allowing you to stay asleep throughout the night. Our high-quality sleep supplements were developed with Ultramel™, which is a 99% pure melatonin that is clinically tested to improve your sleep quality. By taking REMfresh nightly, you can help combat occasional sleeplessness and get the shut-eye your body needs to perform at its peak.

Irregular sleep patterns and overtiredness not only affects our quality of sleep, it can also impact our quality of life. However, as we get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the sleep we need to function and operate at our prime. Hopefully, these sleep tips can provide you and other aging adults with the relief of better sleep.