Every day, we get a little bit older. However, just because the clock is continuously ticking doesn't mean that we can't do anything to minimize the effects of aging. One part of life that can impact how we feel, mentally and physically, is sleep. Our sleep habits impact our daily functioning, and poor habits can cause us to feel much older than we are. Continue reading to learn about the bad sleep habits you may be doing that can contribute to you feeling older!

Aging is Mental 

Aging is a biological process that, no matter what inventions we come up with, is inevitable. However, you can control your mindset when it comes to aging to make the process more tolerable. If you believe that life at 60 is over and will be a drag, then it will be. However, if you believe that a healthy and productive life in old age is possible and attainable, then that can be your reality.

Unfortunately, so many people believe that life is downhill after the prime-time years of middle age. Aging certainly isn't easy, but positivity in regards to thinking about aging is the secret ingredient. However, it can be a little more difficult on those days when your back is hurting a little extra in the mornings. 

A 2021 study at the University of Exeter has uncovered a fascinating link between sleep patterns and how one perceives themselves aging. 

Poor Sleep and Feeling Older

This study reported a significant association between poor sleep and feeling older. Inadequate sleep patterns are also linked to more negative perceptions of aging. More than 4400 adults were over the age of 50.

Those with the worst sleep patterns/quality not only felt older, but also displayed a much more negative mindset about their own physical and mental aging. A pessimistic view on aging can seriously negatively impact one's cognitive, physical, and overall health as the years go by. 

The Right Mindset

The importance of sleep at any age is well-documented, but especially important for older adults to attain 7-8 hours of sleep on a nightly basis. Sleep is time for our bodies and minds to rest and recharge, which is significantly important for aging. When our brains are in deep sleep, that is when they clean up any molecules, proteins, and other particles that could lead to disease, like dementia and Alzheimer's. Without time to eliminate those toxic proteins, our brains end up accumulating them and increasing our risk for developing those diseases. 

This study was purely observational and cannot establish causation between sleep, aging, and mindset. More research has to be done to connect all three and produce a theory that can be implemented into clinical practice. However, it's a good start, and older adults who start to feel older should take some time to nap, get extra sleep, and improve their perceived youthfulness. 

If you or someone you know has difficulty sleeping, please click the orange button below to take a free online sleep test and talk with one of our sleep health professionals. 

[Sources]:

https://www.eatthis.com/news-sleep-aging-older-study/