Sleep Tips for Senior Health

Sleep is essential to good health and also the prevention of chronic diseases. Senior adults need 7-9 hours of sleep nightly for adequate rest. Learn more about why sleep is important and how to maintain healthy sleep habits.

Insufficient sleep is linked to the following chronic diseases:

• Type 2 diabetes 
• Cardiovascular disease—hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias
• Obesity
• Depression

Healthy Sleep Habits

1)   Go to bed at the same time each night.

2)   Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark and relaxing environment.

3)   Make sure your bedroom temperature is comfortable—not too hot or too cold.

4)   Make sure your bed is comfortable and used only for sleeping—not reading, watching TV, or listening to music.

5)   Remove all TVs, computers and other “gadgets” from the bedroom.

6)   Physical activity may help promote sleep, but not within a few hours of bedtime.

7)   Avoid large meals before bedtime.

Consult a physician if your sleep problems persist.  But, prior to visiting your physician, keep a diary of your sleep habits for ten days and discuss this with your physician at your visit.

Your sleep diary should include when you do the following activities:

• Go to bed 
• Fall asleep
• Wake up
• Get out of bed
• Take naps (times and length)
• Exercise
• Consume alcohol
• Consume caffeinated beverages

See more at: http://blog.homehealthmedical.com/

Sleep is essential to good health and also the prevention of chronic diseases. Senior adults need 7-9 hours of sleep nightly for adequate rest. Learn more about why sleep is important and how to maintain healthy sleep habits.
Insufficient sleep is linked to the following chronic diseases:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease—hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias
• Obesity
• Depression

Healthy Sleep Habits
1)   Go to bed at the same time each night.
2)   Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark and relaxing environment.
3)   Make sure your bedroom temperature is comfortable—not too hot or too cold.
- See more at: http://blog.homehealthmedical.com/2012/01/sleep-tips-for-senior-health/#sthash.BRuwoZgz.dpuf