Did you know….you spend 33 years of your life in bed. Hopefully it is a comfy one!
There has been a long standing myth that as we get older we need less sleep. How many of you are either 65 or older – or have an older adult in your life who gets significantly less sleep now than they did as a younger adult? Is this myth true? Well…sort of.
An expert panel of the National Sleep Foundation reviewed findings from 320 research studies and recommend the following:
Adults age 18 to 64 should sleep seven to nine hours a night, while adults 65 and over are recommended to get seven to eight hours of sleep. [source]
Not much of a difference. While the National Sleep Foundation expert panel found that adults 65 and older need a bit less sleep, the National Institute on Aging shared that “older adults need about the same amount of sleep as their younger counterparts—seven to nine hours each night.” [Source] To specify, “younger counterparts” is defined as children and adolescents.
Are you getting enough sleep? There are an array of things you can do to help you get a sound night of sleep, as well as stay asleep. Learn all the tips to sleeping well and staying asleep in the upcoming Sound Sleep Workshop.
One of many things you can do is to create a good sleep environment. 33 years in bed is a long time. If you find yourself tossing and turning a lot or having some aches and pains in the body, consider if it is time to get a new bed. In recent years, more affordable, eco options are available on the market.
Avocado Mattress is rated as one of the top eco beds. The company owns each part of its manufacturing process, ensuring it adheres to its high sustainability standards. Not only is it a B corp company (businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose), the mattresses are made in the U.S., right here in California. Here is more info on eco bed options.
In addition to a quality bed, consider what you are sleeping in – the mattress pad and sheets. Higher thread count means that there is more cotton threaded together, creating a softer feel. Some may find higher thread count less breathability. Regardless, consider if your sheets are serving you in a good night’s sleep.
An added tip: Have a guest bed? Try sleeping in it for a night. Most people put an old mattress in their guest room. Your guests are likely not going to tell you they slept terribly. Best option is to sleep in your guest room for a night.
Other things you can do to create a comfortable sleep environment: soft lighting such as lamps, a cool temperature, and eliminating noise with a fan or sound machine.
Learn about light and melatonin in a previous post – Are you getting a good night’s sleep?
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep – there is so much more to share. Learn everything you need to know in the Sound Sleep Workshop.
About the Author: Jen Potocnik is a Certified Integrative Health Coach, and Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Facing chronic fatigue in her early 30s, she jumped in deep into researching and learning about different health resources – exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic, homeopathic remedies in conjunction with Western Medicine. She enjoys delving into scholarly articles to understand as much as possible about a particularly subject or topic. Jen’s focus is working with women, children, digestive health issues, sleep, and individuals seeking a specific health goal such as weight loss, flexibility or strength. She leads wellness workshops and works directly with clients one on one. Jen is leading the upcoming Sound Sleep Workshop on Sunday, March 7th at 4pm est/1pm pst.