How Sleep Changes Throughout Our Lives

When you were young you seemed to always get enough sleep, right? Now that you’re older, why is it so hard to get a good night’s sleep? WebMD has a great article by Stephanie English about how sleep changes throughout our lives.

According to Michael Vitiello, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, “Sleep needs vary from individual to individual, and changes can occur at any stage in the lifespan.”

While most doctors recommend that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep each night, Vitiello believes the amount of sleep you need is the number of hours necessary to wake up without an alarm feeling refreshed and alert.

A number of things may affect your need for sleep. Women undergo more sleep changes and challenges than men because of their reproductive hormones. Genes also play a role as does your internal clock, which makes some of us night owls and others early birds.

Your quality of sleep makes a difference too. Between ages of 19 and 60, we experience changes in sleep. Kids and teenagers get a lot of deep sleep, but as we grow older the amount of deep sleep we experience decreases and we are easily awakened.

When you haven’t slept well for a while, the lack of sleep affects how much sleep you need. Insomnia is much higher in folks over 65. Seniors may experience a lack of sleep due to illness or medications as well as behavioral or social changes.

So, if sleep needs vary from person to person, how do you know when you might require more sleep? According to WebMD, here are some signs to watch for:

·         You need a stimulant like coffee to wake up or get going

·         You feel down, irritable, or tense after not getting enough sleep

·         You have poor short-term memory

·         You have a hard time staying focused and productive after sitting for awhile

Plus, getting exercise—those who exercise regularly tend to sleep better—and keeping good sleep habits are key. Stick to a regular bedtime, have little or no caffeine, and sleep in a cool, dark and comfortable room. This can be even more important as you age.