Sleeping is important for us all. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, a good night’s sleep is a key ingredient to optimum overall health. Unfortunately, not all of us are getting the adequate amounts of sleep that we want. Ideally, anywhere between seven and nine hours a night is what we need. However, numerous factors tend to interrupt our sleep. This is especially true for seniors.
Obviously, it’s important for older adults to get quality shut eye. So what should they do to get it?
Practice a winding down process each night.
Find ways to relax your body and mind long before bedtime. Start a winding down process at least an hour or two before you plan on hitting the sack. This could involve taking a relaxing bath or playing soft music. Reading also helps people to unwind and rest. A good book before bed might just do the trick.
Australia’s Aged Care Guide suggests that seniors start their winding down processes early each night. “This could mean having the last few hours of your night full of calming things, like a bath, playing relaxing music, doing meditation, or reading a book before bed,” their website affirms.
Create a comfortable sleep space.
Are you sleeping in a comfortable environment? Depending on your living space, you may need to completely overhaul the room in which you sleep. Those who sleep in basements may find it too chilly at night. Those who sleep on couches may find it uncomfortable. Ideally, you should be sleeping in a warm bedroom and on a firm mattress. If not, it’s time to upgrade your sleeping quarters.
“A quiet, dark and cool environment can help promote sound sleep,” says FirstLight Home Care, “Draw your blinds and curtains, set the room temperature to comfortably cool and use earplugs or a fan to drown out extraneous noise. Also, make sure you have a comfortable mattress and pillows.”
Reduce your screen time.
Too often, most of us are connected to our mobile devices like they’re glued to our hands. That means that most of our eyes are virtually glued as well. Not only does screen time distract and clog our minds, it can keep us from getting the desired rest needed to fall into deep and restful sleeps each night. Most seniors aren’t necessarily electronic gadget fans. However, many of them enjoy watching TV. For them, the point is the same. Screen time should end well before bedtime.
“Watching television or looking at your phone doesn’t help your body switch off at night, as it can cause your body to stay awake,” notes Aged Care Guide, “Try turning off all devices an hour or two before you head to bed.”
Use a home hospital bed.
Home hospital beds allow individuals to increase sleeping comfort by adjusting bed positioning with proper therapeutic mattress surfaces. Home hospital beds are perfect for individuals who have hard times getting in and out of bed, have insomnia or are bedridden.
To learn all about the home hospital beds offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
