How to Sleep Better Each Decade of Your Life

Your 20s and 30s

Keep on thyroid watch: A hyperactive thyroid can ignite serious insomnia woes. In the year after pregnancy, 5-10% of women develop postpartum thyroiditis, causing them to feel tired throughout the day as they battle the sleep disorder.

Don’t hold on to sadness: Both depression and common medications to treat it have been linked to insomnia by numerous studies over the years. Opt for the drug-free treatment for insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with talk therapy sessions to beat depression.

Your 40s

Count nighttime bathroom trips: Frequent trips to the bathroom at night isn’t just a sign that you are getting older; it could be the work of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Women are especially at a higher risk due to their decreased levels of estrogen and increased sexual activity at this stage of their life.

Obtain deeper sleep by exercising: Your ability to get deep, restorative sleep or slow-wave sleep decreases, leading to more awakening during the night. Aim for at least 30 minutes of cardio most days of the week to keep your slow-wave sleep in demand as it helps repair muscles and tissues.

Your 50s+

Be careful with medications: Prescription medications for cholesterol and hypertension, especially if combined with diuretics can lead to more bathroom trips at night. Talk to your doctor taking your medication in the mornings instead of the evening. Some cholesterol medications can also cause achy nighttime muscles, see about supplements for more restful nights.

Don’t ignore snoring: If you snore on a regular basis, you may have sleep apnea, a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. Each time you sleep, you are losing oxygen and increasing your risk for serious diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke and an earlier death.

No matter what sleep challenge you face, always seek help as soon as possible to get stack up on health benefits and enjoy brighter mornings.