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Get a Better Quality of Sleep

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If you’re in your 50s or beyond, and you expect that you should be sleeping as soundly as you did in your 20s and 30s, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Why? Our sleep patterns naturally change as we get older. For one thing, the amount of deep, restorative sleep we get gradually decreases. That means we spend more time in a lighter stage of sleep, which can be more easily interrupted. 

Consequently, if we want to feel well-rested, we need to start paying more attention to the things we can do to maximize the quality of the sleep we do get each night.

You know those lists of ‘sleep hygiene’ tips that you’ve probably pooh-poohed? Things like getting up at the same time every day, and curbing your caffeine intake, particularly before midday? 

Singly, they may not make an enormous difference in your sleep quality. But combined, they may well do so if you can incorporate them into your nighttime routine long-term.

Reviewing any medications that you’re taking to see whether any could potentially be affecting your sleep can be helpful, too.

To learn more about what you can do to get a good night’s rest, read my latest Good Times health feature: ‘Get a Better Quality of Sleep’.

My heartfelt thanks to the interviewees who so generously shared their time, stories and expertise:

 

Resources

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay