When it comes to seniors health, getting a healthy night’s sleep is critical. No matter what age you are, a healthy night’s sleep has positive benefits on your health – and it becomes even more so as your age. Getting a healthy night’s sleep will boost your immune system, give you more energy during the day, lower your risk for serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, reduce stress, improve your mood, and more.
A good nights sleep is considered anywhere between seven to nine hours each night, but sometimes this can just feel impossible. If you are having issues not getting enough sleep, here are three tips to help you get a healthy night’s sleep and improve your senior health.
1. Watch What You’re Drinking
As you inch closer to the nighttime hours, pay attention to what you are drinking. You should not be drinking alcohol close to bedtime. It may help you get to sleep faster, but it will make it harder for you to stay asleep. Even a small amount of alcohol close to the time you are going to bed can have an impact, as you tend to wake up in the middle of the night once the effect of alcohol wears off. It’s also a good idea to avoid caffeinated drinks close to bedtime. Also in general, try not to drink as many fluids at night as you do during the day. This is because waking up to take a trip to the bathroom will disrupt your sleep.
2. Make Your Bedroom a Calming Sleep Zone
Before you turn out the lights to go to bed, try to calm yourself down. Ways to do this include not using electronic devices, such as laptops, television, or your phone, about an hour before your are planning to go to sleep. Instead, try reading a book or listening to soothing music. It will help you relax, calm down, and get you into the mindset of sleep.
3. Create a Routine
A routine is one of the best ways for your body to know that it’s time for sleep. Try a consistent schedule for going to bed and waking up every day, including weekends. By doing this, your body will develop a circadian rhythm, knowing inherently when it’s time for sleep and when it’s time to be up.
Incorporating a warm bath into your nighttime routine can help you with sleep too. The drop in body temperature you experience coming out of a warm bath will not just relax you, but it may help you feel tired.
There are so many reasons why a good night’s sleep is important to senior health. The above tips are just three great ways to help you get a healthy night’s sleep. Getting a good amount of sleep each night is just one of many important things you can do to improve your senior health.
If you are searching for more ways to improve your senior health, the experts at Yuma Senior Living have plenty of other tips. They also offer Independent, Assisted and Memory Care living options, 24-hour on-site care staff and weekly housekeeping in a tranquil and safe environment. Simply give them a call at (928) 388-6858, and their Community Ambassador will schedule an onsite tour at your convenience.