Senior Insomnia

We have all experienced it. It’s been a long week, we have worked late, and the relational tension is high. And in the middle of the night, we are up thinking about all of it, unable to find the respite that only sleep can bring.

Insomnia affects countless millions of Americans each year. It is not a disease, per se, but it is a condition which prevents individuals of any and every demographic from living a full, rich life. And, as is the case with so many other conditions, senior citizens are affected worse than most.

Senior insomnia can be caused by a million different factors, and s often treated with just as many strategies. The emotional and physical challenges that seniors face are oftentimes more intense, and even with sleep aids, the problems can continue for a very long time.

So what can we do to help our seniors get some sleep? The best place to start might also be the simplest: exercise.

It might sound too silly or obvious to be true, but physical exercise can be the best friend of anyone who wants to sleep. Why? Well for starters, because it exhausts the body. Running, tennis, or even walking can dispel that pesky pent up energy that can keep a senior’s mind from racing when it ought to be resting.

But the benefit is not just physical. Emotionally, exercise can increase the feeling of wellness in any person, let alone a senior struggling with insomnia. It is undeniable: people who exercise on a regular basis on average feel better about themselves and better about life. This is not a coincidence. Exercise produces natural endorphins that make people feel better. They are more confident, and they are happier knowing they are helping their body instead of working against it.

All of those effects work positively for seniors battling insomnia. By getting regular workouts, seniors can increase the feeling of helplessness, sadness and depression. And at night time, this can translate to deeper, less interrupted sleep.

So before you encourage mom or dad to grab a prescription for sleeping pills, get them some walking shoes instead. It might help them sleep easier.