As we age, our sleep needs change. Most people need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night, but some may need more or less depending on their age and health. Sleeping more has pros and cons – it can help improve your health and quality of life, but too much sleep can also be harmful. This blog post will discuss the pros and cons of sleeping more as you age!
Contents
How Does Aging Affect Sleep?
As we age, our sleep patterns change. These changes are from aging and the medications we often take. It becomes more difficult to fall asleep for a full night.
Aging affects sleep in several ways. First, aging leads to changes in our circadian rhythm or internal clock. This clock regulates when we feel sleepy and when we feel wide awake. As we age, our circadian rhythm shifts so that we feel less tired at night and more sleepy during the day, which can make it harder to fall asleep at night and easier to wake up early in the morning.
As we age, we spend less time in deep sleep and more time in light sleep or REM sleep. Deep sleep is essential for feeling rested and refreshed, so that this change can lead to fatigue and insomnia. In addition, aging leads to changes in our sleep architecture, which refers to the different stages of sleep we cycle through during the night.
Finally, many medications we take as we age can disrupt our sleep. For example, beta blockers and diuretics can cause insomnia, while antidepressants and anticonvulsants can cause daytime drowsiness.
Pros To Sleeping More As You Age
Boosts Brain
As we age, our sleep patterns tend to change. We may wake up more often during the night or feel less rested after a full night’s sleep. However, new research suggests that sleeping more as we age may benefit our brains. In a recent study, participants slept 10 hours per night for two weeks. At the end of the study, participants showed increased levels of brain activity and improved memory and learning skills. The benefits of sleep are well known, but this study provides new insight into how sleep can help to keep our brains healthy as we age. So if you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, it may be worth giving yourself an extra hour or two in bed. You might find that it helps to boost your brainpower.
Strengthens Heart
It’s essential to get enough sleep to keep your heart healthy. A good night’s sleep helps lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels, which are good for your heart. In addition, sleep helps to regulate the hormones that control appetite and metabolism, ensuring that your body can process the food you eat properly. Getting enough sleep is especially important if you are overweight or have diabetes, as both can lead to heart disease. If you prioritize sleep, you will be doing your heart a favor.
Helps Fight Sicknesses
Did you know that getting enough sleep is essential for your health? Studies have shown that sleep helps our bodies fight germs, sicknesses, and diseases. When we sleep, our bodies produce more infection-fighting antibodies and cells, which help ward off illness and keep our immune systems strong. So if you’re feeling under the weather, get some extra sleep. It just might help you feel better faster.
Controls And Maintains Weight
People often find it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight as they age. One reason for this may be that they are not getting enough sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, particularly as we age. Studies have shown that sleep plays a vital role in regulating metabolism and appetite. When people don’t get enough sleep, they tend to have higher levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin and lower levels of the satiety hormone leptin, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. In addition, sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of making poor food choices and participating in unhealthy behaviors such as binge eating.
Cons To Sleeping More As You Age
Depression
As people age, they often find that they need more sleep because the body’s sleep patterns change as we age. We sleep less deeply and more light sleep. Sleep troubles are common in older adults. While it’s essential to get enough sleep, sleeping too much can signify depression.
Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by feeling sad, hopeless, or indifferent for long periods. It can also cause physical symptoms like fatigue, sleep changes, and poor appetite. While it’s normal to have occasional ups and downs, if you’re experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks, it could be time to seek help from a mental health professional. Sleeping too much or too little can be a sign of depression, so if you’re concerned about your sleep habits, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Back Pain
As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes. We may not be able to run as fast or lift as much as we could in our youth, but most of these changes are relatively minor. However, there is one change that can have a significant impact on our health: sleep patterns. As we get older, we tend to sleep differently, leading to back pain.
When we sleep, our muscles relax, and the discs in our spine rehydrate, which helps reduce inflammation and repair any damage done during the day. If we don’t get enough sleep, our muscles don’t have a chance to recover fully, leading to pain and back stiffness. In addition, sleeping on your side or stomach can also cause back pain by putting pressure on the spine. So if you’re experiencing back pain, try sleeping more and see if that makes a difference. Your back will thank you for it.
Consider These Factors Today!
It is clear that getting enough sleep is essential for overall health, and this is especially true as we age. As our bodies change and we face new challenges, such as chronic pain or illness, getting the rest we need becomes even more crucial. Though it may not always be easy to get a good night’s sleep, we can do several things to improve our chances of success. By creating a relaxing bedtime routine, setting aside time for winding down before sleep, and ensuring our sleeping environment is comfortable and quiet, we can increase the likelihood of getting the restful sleep our bodies need.
