Sleeping less can be common as you age. There are natural reasons for this transition to occur, however, it should not be impacting your functioning while awake. Insomnia is different from needing less sleep than you did in your younger years. If you find that you are having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep and it is impacting your life you may have insomnia.

Sleep is physiologically important, regardless of your age. Being deprived of quality sleep can affect your physical and emotional health in many negative ways. While insomnia is treatable, it is a serious condition. We often assume that our sleep problems are “normal”, who doesn’t struggle with sleep from time to time? While sleeplessness does occur occasionally, assuming it is not a problem does not make it so. Left untreated insomnia will likely worsen and could lead to more serious conditions.

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), older adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep. Sleep is essential in maintaining your immune system. Finding relief for your insomnia is possible, therapy can help.

Becoming a Morning Person: Natural or Insomnia

It is easy to brush off sleeplessness as just another change that comes with aging. Your circadian rhythm will change as you age which can lead to some sleeplessness. With retirement you may find that you have more free time and are able to rest and nap more than you could before. This can lead to less exposure to sunlight which can in turn naturally alter your biological clock. This can leave your body and mind feeling less eager to catch up on sleep and rest.

In addition, you may also be sleeping less because of the natural tendency for sleep to become lighter and the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep to become shorter. In several studies, older adults report that their sleep is interrupted right before the “late, terminal or advanced sleep-phase” and they then have greater difficulty falling back to sleep. This means you are likely to go through all the four stages of Non-Rapid-Eye-Movement (NREM) sleep before entering REM sleep. It takes 90 to 110 minutes to complete the whole sleep cycle.

As you age, sleeping lighter and for shorter periods of time may mean not being able to go through deep sleep, a requirement for restful sleep. This can be why sleep quality and not duration matter when overcoming insomnia. This is what good quality sleep is all about. Ignoring warning signs can lead to chronic insomnia.

Causes of Insomnia as We Age

Insomnia can have many possible causes. Aside from the natural tendencies to sleep less, it can be attributed to health concerns and medications. It can also be attributed to depression, anxiety and other emotional conditions.

There are many health conditions that can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Pain and discomfort, resulting from arthritis, heartburn, or other ailments, may also keep you from falling asleep. Lung and heart conditions, and degenerative neurologic disorders may also make it difficult for you to sleep through the night.

If you are taking multiple medications, check to see if insomnia may be a side effect. There may also be drug interactions that can create difficulty in falling and staying asleep. Taking certain medications at night or before bedtime may similarly contribute to sleeplessness. It can be helpful to consult with your doctor or pharmacist to see if this may be a contributing factor.

Insomnia, whether it is the primary cause of your chronic sleeplessness or a symptom of another condition, often requires attention. If it is an indication of an undiagnosed medical or emotional condition, it can worsen if left untreated. Sleeplessness can wreak havoc on your emotional and physical health.

What are Symptoms of Insomnia?

NIH Senior Health identifies the following symptoms of insomnia:

• Taking more than 30 to 45 minutes to fall asleep
• Waking up a lot during the night
• Waking up too early and not being unable to fall back to sleep
• Waking up feeling tired and unable to function well during the day

If your sleeplessness has just recently occurred, it could be temporary or brought on by a chronic medical condition. Sleep disturbances can also arise after a significant life change such as passing of a loved one, moving, financial worries, relationship distress etc. Do not underestimate the impact of sleeplessness, even if you think it’s temporary.

Insomnia and Depression

Insomnia is often closely linked to depression. Studies and surveys show that about 80 percent of seniors experiencing depression in the United States, or approximately 6 million people, also exhibit insomnia as a symptom. Depression and insomnia are serious conditions that deserve attention.

Like insomnia, depression is treatable. You are not alone, counseling can help.

Can Therapy Help?

Change is inevitable, your sleep cycle is no exception. However, when your sleep changes start to impact your everyday life, it may be something more. You deserve to sleep well to stay healthy and active as you age. You deserve to sleep well, to enjoy life and everything it has to offer.

When it comes to insomnia it can be helpful to consult your physician as well as a therapist. While there can be many causes when it comes to insomnia, it’s rarely just one thing. Start getting the sleep you deserve. Call Carolina Counseling Services – West Fayetteville Office Fayetteville, NC, to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• The Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia as We Age
• Relief for Older Adults Who Suffer from Insomnia