See the Benefits of Sleep As You Get Older – Reading Eagle

Some people think of themselves as staying up late or getting up early, but sleep is one of the most important factors for our health, whether we are young or retired. It is important for our mental and emotional health as well as for our physical health.

Still, as we grow older, we often experience normal or abnormal sleep changes. Always consult your doctor if certain things affect your sleep.

Physical health

Everyone may know that waking up on the other side of the bed can make you feel less sleepy the night before. All bad sleep habits of not sleeping at all can affect our mood, but what about our body? This is the benefit of having a good night’s rest for our physical health:

• Reduce the risk of illness

• Maintain weight and improve metabolism

• Your brain removes harmful toxins

• Strengthen the immune system

• Reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and arthritis

mental health

A great night’s sleep can bring a whirlwind to our body, especially our mental and emotional health. The specific benefits of a good night’s sleep are:

• Improves concentration and memory

• Raise your mood

• Increase productivity

• Limit the risk of dementia

• Limit the risk of depression and anxiety

These are big factors to keep in mind as we get older, but is the question about how much sleep you have? The majority of adults over the age of 65 should aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night for a restful rest. There are individual differences, but it is important to consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Promotion of senior wellness is provided by The Hickman, a Quaker-licensed personal care home in West Chester. This column was written by Samantha Gordon, Communication and Outreach Manager.She can be contacted at sgordon@thehickman.org or www.thehickman.org