Sleeping Problems Increase with Age - Ways to Sleep Better Now

Tossing and turning is not an unavoidable side effect of getting older. Aging leads to health issues, including sleep problems. Sleep problems lead to health issues. Health and aging leads to long-term care.

Recommend This Page
Sleeping Problems Increase with Age - Ways to Sleep Better Now
3 Min Read December 19th, 2020

Time never seems to move as slowly as when you are tossing and turning in bed. As we get older, it often takes longer to doze off, and it is not the deep sleep we remember from the past. These changes in sleep patterns often happen due to changes in the body's internal clock.

Napping during the day can make it worse. Then there are nocturnal visits to the bathroom and noises that might not have bothered us before. Still, experts recommend that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep, if possible. 

If you are experiencing sleep problems, these tips can help you rest better as you get older.

Being Active During the Day Helps at Night

Give your body a good reason to rest. Keep moving throughout the day, with regular workouts at similar times—as long as they are at least three hours before bedtime. A little sweat and some sun (with sunscreen) can wear you out naturally.

Evening exercises like yoga and muscle stretching can increase feelings of relaxation, which improves your sleep quality. 

Optimize Your Environment for Sleep

Make sure the problem isn't with your surroundings. Black-out curtains can block headlights from flashing in your window. If you can't even remember what year you bought your mattress, it may be so worn-out that it's doing more harm than good. That could be the reason you can't find a comfortable position. Keep the thermostat around 65 degrees, if you can.

Stick to a Schedule for Better Sleep

You're probably falling asleep earlier in the evening and waking up hours before you want to. Then you drift off into a nap during the day, throwing you off even more. Establish a bedtime that you're comfortable with, even on the weekends, and let your body adjust to it.

Ease into It

Rather than switching off the TV and hoping to fall asleep, start the process at least an hour earlier. Consider taking a warm bath so that you feel a drop in temperature that makes you drowsy when you get out. 

Turn off all the screens you use, including your phone, and read a book or listen to soothing music instead. Then you will be halfway through a transition to sleep before you even turn out the light.

Resting Your Ears Leads to ZZZZZs

If you seem to startle at every sound, try a sound machine or sleeping app on your phone to block out the background noise. If you do not like the sounds of the ocean or Tibetan monks, keep trying—you may prefer white noise or binaural beats, and there are endless other options.

It is a personal issue when you have trouble sleeping. These tips can help seniors rest better, but everyone is different. Take some time to think about what really relaxes you. If it's not a sound, maybe it's a scent you can recreate with essential oils or a different texture for your comforter. 

Worrying about not sleeping makes it worse, so you might benefit from relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. When you do not get enough sleep, it affects just about everything you do the next day. You have earned the right to a good night's sleep, so don't settle for less.

Recommend This Page

About the Author

Mallory Knee is a freelance writer for multiple online publications where she can showcase her affinity for all things beauty and fashion. She particularly enjoys writing for communities of passionate women who come together for a shared interest and empower one another in the process. In her free time, you can find Mallory trying a fun new dinner recipe, practicing calligraphy, or hanging out with her family.

LTC News Contributor Mallory Knee

Mallory Knee

Contributor since September 25th, 2020

Editor's Note

Aging causes many people to have difficulties getting to sleep. Often you wake up during the night and feel tired in the morning. You might even spend more time in bed, but you are not getting quality sleep. 

The sleep disorders we suffer from as we get older cause other health problems, making getting older even more problematic. While there are things we can do that will help us sleep better, we can't avoid the consequences of aging. 

Planning for the changes we face with our health, body, and mind once we hit our 50s is essential for our retirement planning. Many of these changes will mean we will need help with daily activities. Once we hit big age milestones, 70, 75, and beyond, we can start facing cognitive decline as well. 

LTC Insurance Makes Aging Easier on Family and Finances

Prepare your family and finances for the financial costs and burdens of aging. Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will give you peace-of-mind since you will know you will have the resources for your choice of care. You can choose the type of quality care you want, including in-home care, without placing stress and burden on either your family or finances. 

Paid care costs are expensive and significantly drain income and assets, adversely impacting your lifestyle and legacy. Family caregivers face tremendous stress and anxiety since the job is physically and emotionally draining. 

Planning Tools on LTC NEWS

Research your planning options by using the tolls on LTC NEWS. It would help if you started by finding the current and future cost of extended care services by using the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator. You can analyze the financial impact of your future long-term care.

Other tools and resources are available on LTC NEWS - just click here

Experts suggest using a trusted and qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist. Find one by clicking here.

Be sure to start planning when you are younger since these policies are medically underwritten. Most experts suggest in your 40s or 50s to find the best values and the most options.

Advertising and Marketing Opportunities on LTC NEWS

Reach an educated audience. Readers of LTC NEWS are researching retirement issues, including aging, health, caregiving, and long-term care. Other readers seek information for a parent or other loved one who is experiencing declining health or aging issues and require extended care.   

Many marketing opportunities are available, including sponsored content articles. Sponsored content offers you a long-form way to sell yourself, your company, and your ideas.

Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business - click here.

Get Published on LTC NEWS

LTC NEWS offers many resources to help families address the consequences of long-term care, aging, health, caregiving, and other retirement issues. You can be part of the effort to help educate consumers throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Write a story for publication on LTC NEWS and let America hear what you have to say. Be sure your article fits the LTC NEWS target audience of adults 40-70.

Topics can include stories on:

  • Aging
  • Caregiving
  • Health
  • Long-Term Care
  • Retirement Planning

There are numerous other related topics, as well. You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. It must have editorial content exclusive for LTC NEWS and cannot be just an advertisement. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media.

Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com or click here.

LTC News Trusted & Verified

Work With a Trusted Specialist

Get Accurate Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes

  • Has substantial experience in Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Strong understanding of underwriting, policy design, and claims experience
  • Represents all or most of all the leading insurance companies
man and woman sitting at desk
Latest
  • Latest

  • Oldest

Everything
  • Homecare

  • Health

  • Government

  • Care Facilities

  • Pets

  • People

  • Lifestyle

  • Insurance

No Results

Step 1 of 4

Find a Specialist

Get Started Today

Trusted & Verified Specialists

Work with a trusted Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist Today

  • Has substantial experience in Long-Term Care Insurance
  • A strong understanding of underwriting, policy design, and claims experience
  • Represents all or most of all the leading insurance companies

LTC News Trusted & Verified

Compare Insurers

+