Monday, 20 January 2020

The Best Habits to Develop for a Healthy Sleep Routine

According to a study conducted on seniors regarding insomnia, around half of all older adults complain about finding it difficult to initiate or maintain sleep at least some of the time. Other research suggests that Parkinson’s sufferers, in particular, find it exceptionally challenging to get enough sleep. In fact, it is said that as many as 75% of those diagnosed with the condition have issues with insomnia.

If your senior loved one’s live-in companion notifies you that this is indeed the case for them, the good news is that there are ways in which to rectify the problem. Here are some tips on developing a healthy sleep routine.

Set a bedtime

As you probably know, a set bedtime helps younger children to fall asleep faster. The same is true for elderly individuals. Going to bed at the same time every night aids in establishing consistent sleep-wake rhythms.

Keep naps to a minimum

Obviously, the more your senior loved one sleeps during the day, the more difficult they will find it to fall asleep at night. Limit naps to an hour each day, and try to schedule them for no later than 1pm.

Spend more time outdoors

Not only is the fresh air and sunshine great for your loved one’s health and mood, but research has shown that exposure to plenty of natural light during the day can aid in ensuring a better night’s rest too.

Exercise

While it may be the last thing that they feel like doing, exercise can work wonders for an elderly individual. Many experts claim that it can help to reduce their risk of falls by up to 33%.

Exercise is also incredibly beneficial for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in terms of improving mobility and reducing symptoms. Furthermore, the more that a senior individual exercises, the better he or she is likely to sleep. Exercise should, therefore, form a part of his or her daily routine.

Wind down

It is important for your loved one to be in the right frame of mind before he or she attempts to get some shut-eye. Feelings of anxiety are definitely not conducive to sleep, after all. As such, a warm bath or some classical music may contribute positively towards helping them to relax more before bedtime.  

More in this Category: