Sleep boosts for a healthy brain
SLEEP is something many of us take for granted, yet it helps to protect us from a range of conditions that can affect us as we age.
It is particularly important for brain health, so aim for seven to eight hours a night. In fact, the Global Council on Brain Health advises that regular sleep patterns are vital to cognitive function.
As we get older, sleep can often become less deep and we wake more often during the night or earlier in the morning. This is normal.
But sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnoea and teeth grinding, become more common with age, putting sufferers at risk of conditions such as depression, dementia, heart disease, obesity, falls, and a decline in thinking skills.
Age UK advises that it is a good idea to adopt lifestyle habits that will encourage good sleep, such as creating a peaceful bedroom, keeping a regular bedtime routine and being physically active during the day.
IF YOU are thinking of changing your mattress — and you should at least every seven to eight years — an adjustable bed might help to ease sleeping woes.
An adjustable bed allows you to get into a more comfortable position, so that you can enjoy a more refreshing sleep.
Being able to raise the legs can bring relief to people with arthritis, swollen legs, or poor circulation, enabling them to be better able to move around the next morning.
And being able to raise the upper body at a slight angle can allow those with breathing problems or backache to get a much more comfortable night’s sleep. Being able to do this also enables people to get out of bed more comfortably, while making it easier to read or watch television in bed, too.
A bed that you can adjust in several ways can give proper lumbar support.
Pillows and cushions offer some comfort, but they will move around while you are sleeping, which will put you into a bad posture. An adjustable bed will cradle you in a much better posture that protects your joints.
We can all make small changes to our everyday lives. The right bed can help to improve our mobility and keep us active for longer.