Getting better sleep after 50 can be tough. The daily grind of work and family, combined with the stresses of aging, can make falling asleep at night a real challenge. Getting the recommended amount of sleep can be difficult for everyone. But there are ways to improve your sleep quality that don’t require medical intervention—and we’re here to tell you about them!
Many people previously thought that getting older meant you couldn’t get the needed sleep. But now we know that this isn’t true! There are plenty of ways to ensure you get enough sleep as you age.
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5 Tips for Getting Better Sleep After 50
Here are some tips to help you get better sleep after 50:
- Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet. Your room should be free from bright light and noise so your body can rest properly.
- Eliminate caffeine from your diet as much as possible. Caffeine disrupts sleep because it keeps you awake and alert during the day, making it harder for you to fall asleep at night.
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime; have a glass of milk or water with a bit of honey if you want something sweet (but not too much sugar!). Alcohol contains chemicals called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which make people sleepy and alert—and so does milk!
- Get rid of electronics an hour before bedtime. Your devices emit blue light, known as an “electronic light,” because they mimic sunlight and can disrupt your circadian rhythm (the biological clock). This means that instead of helping you fall asleep faster, it makes it harder for you to do so.
- Keep your bedroom cool or warm. The bedroom temperature should be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep quality (and no tossing and turning!). If it’s too hot or cold outside when you wake up, consider using an electric blanket or another warming method until evening hours when it has cooled down enough for sleeping comfortably indoors again afterward!
How to Get Better Sleep After 50
Having trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one-third of Americans experience sleep problems at least once a week. And if you’re over 50, that number is even higher: almost half of the people over 50 say they’ve experienced sleeplessness at least once during their lifetime.
If you’re in that group, there are a few things you can do to get better sleep. First, ensure that your room is cool—you don’t want to sweat or overheat when you go to bed. Also, keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature and dim the lights enough that you can see what’s going on in the room (but not too bright). If possible, try taking a warm bath before bedtime so your body is relaxed when it goes under covers for the night.
You’ll also want to give yourself plenty of time to wind down from your day—whether it’s sitting still for 20 minutes before turning off the TV or reading a book before bedtime (and keeping away from phones and computers). The more relaxed you feel before going into slumberland, the better your chance of falling asleep immediately!
Can an At Home Sleep Study Help You Get Better Sleep After 50?
A home sleep study is an option for people considering getting a sleep test but are concerned about the cost and time commitment of a visit to their doctor’s office. A home sleep study is also an option if you have had a previous sleep study and have yet to see the desired results. It can evaluate your current health status and help determine what treatment options are best for you.
If you have had a sleep study in the past, we can help you get better results this time. We will give you our recommendations on what tests we think would be most helpful, and then we’ll let you know how much it will cost so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s worth doing one more round of testing.
Can a Home Sleep Apnea Test Help You Get Better Sleep After 50?
If you’re over 50, you may be struggling with sleep apnea. And if you are, your quality of life may be suffering.
The good news is that you can do some simple things to get better sleep and feel better during the day.
- Here are three tips:
- Do a home sleep apnea test to get an accurate diagnosis.
- Get fitted for a CPAP machine or other treatment options from a doctor or specialist who understands how to help people with sleep apnea.
- Make sure your bedroom is comfortable and dark enough to help you get the restful sleep you need!
Conclusion
After 50, getting a good night’s sleep can be tough. But with the help of SleepRx, you can consult a sleep medicine doctor and get insomnia treatment online.
At the SleepRx website, you can chat with Florida sleep specialists about your symptoms and get personalized advice. If you need more rest, get help! Consult a doctor online at SleepRx today to schedule a consultation!
