Every year, millions of adults ask themselves the same question: “What happened to my sleep?”

We all know what it means to “sleep like a baby,” but what if you’re no longer a baby? Many adults toss and turn all night and wake up in the morning feeling exhausted.

That’s because sleep architecture can change as we age. Sleep architecture is the way the brain’s sleep cycle is structured, and it includes both rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep. The deepest levels or “stages” of NREM sleep are considered the most restful and restorative type of sleep. The more time your brain spends in these deep stages, the more refreshed and alert you tend to feel throughout the day.

The adult brain spends less time in deep-stage NREM sleep as it ages. At the same time, the aging brain has a harder time staying in REM sleep, and may slip into brief periods of wakefulness in the middle of the night.

THE ABCs OF QUALITY ZZZs
Restorative sleep doesn’t have to be lost to youth. Optimize your sleep with the following sleep tips:

• Avoid caffeine after lunch and alcohol after dinner.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes every morning or early afternoon.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
• Avoid any kind of screen — TV, tablet, smartphone, etc. — an hour before bedtime.
• Consider adjusting your sleep schedule. Your body’s circadian rhythm can also change with age, making you feel sleepy earlier or later than it used to.

NORMAL OR NOT?
Some sleep changes are a normal part of aging, but others may signal an underlying disorder. If you…

• don’t notice any sleep disturbances but still feel sleepy during the day
• get frequent complaints about snoring from your partner
• have a strong urge to move your legs when resting
• keep your partner awake with jerking movements in your legs
• sleepwalk or sleep talk
• wake up while dreaming and vividly recall the dream

….then you may have a sleep disorder.

Talk to your doctor if you suspect you may have a sleep disorder. Visit TodaysGateway.com to learn about sleep disorders and the treatments available at our Sleep Disorders Center.

This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care.