Is insomnia dangerous for older people?

Insomnia is the result of many factors related to physiological and psychological health. In middle-aged and elderly people, production of the hormone melatonin – which helps regulate sleep cycles – begins to decrease. At the same time, at this age the body no longer needs as much time to recover as when young or due to living habits, the amount of sleep also gradually decreases.

In addition, factors such as stress from work, family and health problems are also important causes affecting sleep quality.

For older people, poor quality sleep increases the risk of memory loss, cognitive disorders, causes psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and can promote disease development. Alzheimer’s. Another dangerous consequence to pay attention to is the increased risk of falling due to slow reflexes, which can cause cracked or broken bones in the elderly.

To protect sleep in particular and physical and mental health in general, you should avoid staying up late or overworking. Keep your sleeping space quiet and airy to help your body relax more easily and sleep better.

Performing gentle exercises such as yoga, qigong or tai chi helps circulate blood and balance the body, thereby helping to achieve deep and stable sleep. Limit exposure to electronic screens before bed. Trying to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm, gradually building better quality sleep.