There are many changes to our bodies as we get older. One of the changes which I and some of my friends talk about is insomnia and how many hours of sleep we manage. Unfortunately, as we get older there is a change in our sleeping patterns which can lead to more frequent waking during the night. This can lead to daytime napping and this change in circadian rhythms leads to earlier bedtimes and wake-up times. There is also a link between production of melatonin and cortisol. The hormone melatonin is produced in response to darkness and helps with circadian rhythms.
Some people obsess about how many hours of sleep they have but it is more about the quality of sleep than the quantity. Research has concluded that there is no magic number and it is different for everyone. It is how you feel and function during the day that matters. The Sleep Charity is one of the leading independent expert voices on sleep issues in the UK. Their aim is to provide access to high quality information and advice to deal with most sleep issues and ensure everyone understands the value of a good night’s sleep.
They have a National Sleep Helpline 03303 530 541
You can talk to them about your sleep issues between 9am and 11am on Mondays and Wednesdays and 7pm to 9pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The charges for this number will depend on your phone tariff. If it offers free calls to landlines at certain times of the day, or has inclusive calls or bundled minutes that cover calls to landline numbers, calls to 0330 numbers (and all other 03 numbers) will be included in these deals on the exact same basis.
Their website is very comprehensive and has a section on insomnia and specifically insomnia and age. You can find it by clicking https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/
I hope this information may help you if you are suffering with sleep issues and wish you sweet dreams.
