Many seniors find their sleep schedules thrown off balance with the summer season's longer days and shorter nights. This disruption can lead to different health issues, making it important for seniors to find effective ways to adapt.
How Sleep Impacts Seniors' Health
Sleep is fundamental to seniors' overall health and well-being. Apart from providing rest, it facilitates essential functions such as memory consolidation and muscle repair. However, the changes seniors experience in their bodies can lead to sleep disorders and disturbances.
Adapting to Summer's Longer Days
The longer days of summer can often disrupt our sleep cycles since our bodies use daylight as a cue to wake up and go to sleep. Knowing how to adapt to these changes is especially important for seniors struggling with adjusting their body's internal clock.
Maintaining a Consistent Sleep Schedule
A healthy sleep schedule involves consistency. Seniors can support their body's internal clock and promote better sleep quality by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. This could also include activities such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or performing light stretches before bedtime. Such routines help signal the brain that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
Managing Light Exposure at Nighttime
Light exposure, particularly in the evening, can shift the body's internal clock and make it harder to fall asleep. Limit the use of electronic devices before bedtime and consider using blackout curtains or blinds in the bedroom. These can help keep out unwanted light in the evenings and signal the body that it's time to sleep.
Creating an Ideal Sleep Environment
Noise, temperature, and comfort are factors that can interfere with sleep. Consider setting the thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for a comfortable sleep. Seniors can also use white noise machines or earplugs and invest in good-quality pillows, mattresses, and bedding to help create a sleep-friendly environment.
Discover Comprehensive Senior Care Assistance
Adjusting to the longer daylight hours of summer involves the right strategies to make it manageable. Remember, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, managing light exposure, and creating an ideal sleep environment are practical steps toward better sleep.
For those living in Indianapolis, Greenwood, Columbus, Martinsville, and Marion County, Senior Helpers Greenwood & South Indianapolis is here to provide personalized assistance with senior care needs. Contact us today to learn more about our in-home care services.