ANCSLEEP BLOG

A lot of our content focuses on what not getting enough sleep looks like, which is important because a majority of people do not. However, it's also important to know what the signs are if you are getting enough sleep because you probably are practicing some positive habits that you should aim to maintain.

Below, we are going to discuss signs that you're getting enough sleep, and if you recognize them, then continue doing what you're doing (if it's healthy). If you do not have any, or many, of the signs below, then you may need to make some adjustments to improve your sleep. 

Older adults commonly have sleep troubles, mostly due to physiological changes that can interrupt normal sleep patterns, but sometimes due to underlying disorders that can manifest into insomnia. It's important to identify these underlying disorders for accurate treatment. Sleep aids can have detrimental effects in elderly adults, so if they can be avoided through accurate diagnoses, then that will be better for their health. 

Below are some common underlying disorders that can negatively affect health. If you think one of these impacts you or a loved one, then it's important to speak with your primary care physician immediately. 

It is no secret that older individuals may struggle more with insomnia than any other group. This is due to a variety of physiological changes that make it harder to get a good night's sleep. 

For most insomniacs, the best solution is a pharmaceutical intervention. However, for older adults, sleeping pills may not be the best first-line solution. This is due to the fact that sleeping pills have more adverse reactions and increased risks for older adults, than they do for other populations. Continue reading for more information on how sleep aids affect older adults. 

Everyday, we get a little bit older. However, just because the clock is ticking at a certain rate, doesn't mean that we have to match it. Of course there isn't much we can do about the fact that we're getting older, however, there are some things we can do to prevent feeling older. Here is the worst sleep habit causing you to feel older!

Our circadian rhythm is our internal clock that helps our bodies regulate a pattern of sleep and wakefulness. It is in charge of the normal time frame that you get sleepy and wake up from your slumber. However, as we age, our circadian rhythm may change, and we may experience disrupted sleep. Keep reading to find out why, and what you can do to better manage your internal clock.

How Sleep Changes as We Age

Changes in your sleep patterns are a normal part of aging. In general, people tend to have a less satisfaction and more trouble with sleep than when they were younger. As a result, an extremely common misconception about sleep is that we need less sleep as we get older. 

In actuality, our need for sleep remains constant throughout life. It's also no coincidence that many older Americans report being less satisfied with and restored by sleep. For these reasons, it's not uncommon for our sleep habits to change as we age. Have you been craving a nap in the afternoon more and more as you get older? Has your wake up time moved back earlier and earlier over the years? If you are answering yes to these questions, it's likely age-related sleeping changes.

How Sleep Changes as We Age

Changes in your sleep patterns are a normal part of aging. In general, people tend to have a less satisfaction and more trouble with sleep than when they were younger - this includes both falling asleep and staying asleep [National Sleep Foundation]. As a result, an extremely common misconception about sleep is that we need less sleep as we get older. You may have heard such from your grandparents or even wondered about it yourself.