Here’s why you should reconsider sleeping aids

As we age, it’s commonly thought that fewer hours of sleep are required each night, but that’s not actually true.

In reality, adults need the same amount of sleep at 60 as they did when they were 30: at least seven hours a night, the Mayo Clinic reported.

But it’s common for older adults to have insomnia, and they may resort to sleeping aids to help. That’s not always a good idea, however.

“Although sleep problems can happen at any age and for many reasons, they can’t be cured by taking a pill, either prescription, over-the-counter or herbal — no matter what the ads on TV say,” Dr. Preeti Malani, Chief Health Officer and a professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan, told Michigan Medicine.

“Some of these medications can create big concerns for older adults, from falls and memory issues to confusion and constipation,” she said. That’s even the case if they don’t require a prescription.

Instead, better sleep can be achieved by taking the following steps from the National Institute on Aging.

• Play a mental game by telling yourself you have 5 minutes before you have to get up. You just need a little more sleep.
• Imagine your body is completely relaxed beginning at your toes. Then, work your way upward.
• Only use your bedroom for sleep.
• Give yourself 20 minutes to fall asleep after turning off the light. If you’re not drowsy after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Go back to sleep when you’re drowsy.