One of the most annoying issues you have to confront with growing age would be the changes in sleep cycles. Since getting a good night’s sleep is important for your mental and physical health, it is best not to ignore insomnia.
Research has highlighted that older folks who have trouble sleeping are more vulnerable to depression, memory loss, and increased chances of being at risk of diabetes and hypertension. This added disadvantage makes it imperative that you get the recommended sleep time.
Causes of Sleep Deprivation
Disturbance in sleep cycles or insomnia can be irritating and create hurdles in your daily routine. In order to improve your sleep cycle, you must understand the reason behind the problem is in the first place to overcome it.
– Stress: Stress is a common indicator and cause of sleepless nights. Your brain is so occupied with random thoughts, which doesn’t allow it to rest.
– Depression: Patients suffering from depression are most likely to experience insomnia or changes in sleep schedule. This is dangerous as depression added to insomnia can lead to many other problems.
– Medication: Medicines have their own side effects, and sometimes these side effects include insomnia or sleep cycle changes.
– Pre–existing health conditions: Speak with your doctor to rule out any possibilities of having pre-existing health conditions that may interfere with your sleep cycle.
– Trauma: If you have recently witnessed or undergone a traumatic experience, it can most definitely play a great role in disturbing the sleep cycle.
Treatment of Sleep Deprivation
Now that we’ve covered the causes of insomnia, it is time to discuss how to make it better and get the rest your body and mind need:
1. Encourage Sleep
Simple as that sounds, a few changes just might help you get back on track with your normal sleep schedule. Ensure you get in bed at a reasonable time, turn off the lights and all electronics that may distract you. Keep the room cool, quiet, and dark to induce a night of better sleep.
2. Lifestyle Changes
As you grow old, you might give up on taking care of yourself like you used to. In order to return to the normal sleeping schedule, adopt a healthier lifestyle, and take a few minutes out of your day to get some exercise. Exercises help regulate the hormones and allow you to get your sleep.
3. Say No to Stress
A stressful and anxious-prone environment can trouble you mentally, leading to changes in your sleep cycle. One of the treatments would be to eliminate stress and manage it better. Stress is a part of life, but how you deal with it is important. Take a walk outside, read a book you’ve wanted to, try meditation- whatever best helps you control and reduce your stress effectively.
When to Visit a Doctor Regarding Your Insomnia
In case you’ve tried everything in your power to get your sleep cycle back on track but are unable to, it’s time to pay the doctor a visit.
Your doctor will help you diagnose whether you need professional help from a sleep specialist or cognitive behavioral therapist for treatment. Prior to the visit, make sure to track your sleep and changes you’ve made in your daily routine in order to aid your doctor in their analysis.