Can you “sleep like a baby” even as you get older? You can get as close as possible by understanding what influences your sleep quality from decade to decade, and supporting your body’s sleep needs as they change. Here are five things to know about getting refreshing, revitalizing sleep even in your golden years.
Sleep Patterns Evolve
Teenagers need nine to ten hours of sleep per night so their bodies can process the rapid physical and emotional changes they’re going through (source: Johns Hopkins Medicine). Elderly people typically only need seven to nine hours per night, the same amount as middle-aged adults, but because their sleep patterns change, they can often become sleep deprived unless they make adjustments.
Circadian Rhythms Rule
Sleep is ultimately driven by natural circadian rhythms - the internal clock in your body that regulates everything from sleep to digestion. People experience jet lag because they’re eating and sleeping according to the time zone they are in, while their internal clock is operating on a different timetable according to circadian rhythms. Night shift workers tend to be consistently sleep deprived, even if they sleep all day, because they’re consistently working in opposition to these natural cycles. As people age, it can become harder to adjust to changes in circadian rhythm disruptions.
We Go Through Phases
Older people experience something called a phase advance, which means circadian rhythms shift forward in time. This shift is why people tend to go to bed earlier and earlier as they age, and why elderly people often take naps. The type of sleep we get can also go through phases. Elderly people spend less time in Stage 4 sleep (the deepest state) and more time in the early stages of sleep, which means they can wake up tired even after sleeping a full seven to eight hours.
The ECS and Circadian Rhythms Are Besties
Your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a key component of your Central Nervous System, regulates the majority of your bodily functions. Your ECS and circadian rhythms are closely intertwined. Support your ECS, and you support your circadian rhythms. CBD has proven benefits in regulating the ECS, and can help you build a strong sleep foundation from the inside out.
Support is the Secret to Sleep Happiness
People of all ages try to overcome their circadian rhythms and ECS cycles - whether it’s caffeine intake to wake up in the morning, or heavy duty sleep aids that zonk people out at night. This kind of disruption can actually make it harder to get good quality sleep long term. Instead, choosing supplements that support your circadian rhythms and ECS, rather than working against them, can yield longer-term sleep happiness. NextEvo Naturals Triple Action Sleep contains two types of melatonin to help you fall and stay asleep, and CBD to support your ECS. Revive CBD Complex with Curcumin - the main ingredient in turmeric known for its benefits - supports your body’s natural abilities to revive and recover, setting the stage for a great night’s sleep at any age.
