We Interrupt This Program . . .
There are difficult sleep disorders that can occur in people of all ages. Most people, however, go through life refreshed by a deep sleep every night. That is, until you reach a certain age.
Sooner or later, as we grow older, undisturbed sleep is no longer a given. Whether it’s neighborhood noise, bladder pressure, or a worry that won’t go away, some interruption always seems to occur in the middle of the night. And once it occurs, finding your way back to sleep often follows a tortuous path.
As one friend remarked, “I’m never in the right place. When I’m in bed, I want to be up and active. And when I’m up, I always feel that I want to be back in bed. What I wouldn’t give for a good night’s sleep.”
He’s not alone. Apparently, our bodies don’t seem to enter the realms of deep sleep as easily as the years go by. Some people turn to pills, but that can be dangerous and dissatisfying. Indeed, medications for other problems also can have an influence on sleep.
There don’t appear to be any universal answers. But if your medications aren’t the problem, try some tricks rather than more medication. Everybody has to figure out some tricks that work for them. Some personal tricks I’ve tried -
- Although I love it, I never have coffee past noontime.
- Check your surroundings and try a few changes. I added an another thin pillow that raised my head. It not only helped my sleep, but it removed the stiffness from the side of my neck. I can once again turn my head easily, which certainly helps when backing out of the driveway.
- I’ve tried mind games, even actually counting sheep. I have never found one that worked.
- If it’s three a.m. and I simply feel too wide awake, I get up, go to another room, and read for an hour. Articles and periodicals work better for me than books, because the conclusion is quicker and they tend to be more detailed and boring. This seems to remove all of the other scattered thoughts that cascade around in my brain and gives me a chance to return to restful sleep.
This article by the Institute on Aging paints the broad picture of sleep problems that seniors may encounter. There are a lot of serious issues out there that tricks won’t help. But it is a place to start. Any progress toward a good night’s sleep is worth the effort.
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