Sleep and Ageing: Understanding Changing Sleep Patterns as You Grow Older

Sleep is an essential part of life, yet the way we sleep evolves as we age. Understanding these changing sleep patterns is crucial for maintaining healthy sleep as you grow older. In this post, we have explored the relationship between sleep and ageing, providing some insight into how you can adapt to changing sleep patterns as you grow older. 

Whether you're in your 20s, navigating middle age or enjoying your golden years, knowing more about the common sleep challenges people face at different stages of life and how you can overcome them will help you achieve quality sleep. From the restless sleep of adolescence to the lighter, more fragmented sleep often experienced in later years, you can proactively adapt to these changes and maintain not just sleep quality, but also overall health and well-being. 

1. Shifting Sleep Patterns

As people age, their sleep patterns often change. It isn’t uncommon for people to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier, a change known as advanced sleep phase syndrome. This shift can be attributed to changes in the body's circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

2. Changes in Sleep Architecture

The architecture of sleep, including the balance of deep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, changes with age. Older adults often experience less deep sleep and more fragmented sleep, leading to more frequent awakenings during the night. Using anatomē’s range of sleep-enhancing products, including sleep oils and pillow sprays, can help to promote deeper sleep, even in the presence of these age-related changes.

3. Daytime Sleepiness

Daytime sleepiness tends to increase with age, often due to the quality of sleep at night deteriorating. Older adults may find themselves nodding off during the day. Short naps can help to alleviate sleepiness, but excessive napping can disrupt nighttime sleep. It’s important to find a balance that works for you and your sleep pattern. 

4. Insomnia and Ageing

Insomnia becomes more prevalent as people age. Some common symptoms of insomnia include difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early. With their meticulously selected natural ingredients and expertly formulated botanical blends, anatomē’s sleep oils and pillow sprays, can help to establish a calming bedtime routine that may alleviate mild insomnia.

5. Medical Conditions

Age often brings an increased likelihood of medical conditions, many of which can affect your sleep. Conditions such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or chronic pain, for instance, can disrupt sleep patterns. Identifying and effectively treating these conditions is key to getting restorative sleep and you may require a consultation with a healthcare professional.

6. Sleep Hygiene

Regardless of age, practising good sleep hygiene is essential. This includes maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a dark and comfortable sleep environment, and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake. anatomē’s sleep-enhancing products can complement these practices, contributing to better sleep quality.

Adapting to Changing Sleep Patterns

Understanding how sleep changes with age is the first step in adapting to these shifts and ensuring a restful night's sleep.

While some changes are inevitable, proactive steps, such as implementing healthy sleep habits and using sleep-enhancing products, can be beneficial in promoting sound sleep throughout the ageing process.

To explore the variety of natural sleep essential oil blends and remedies we provide at anatomē, explore our website today. Each oil bend is made with up to 22 unique botanical extracts, from lavender to frankincense, helping to soothe the body and mind.