“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” —Irish Proverb
Sleep is important at any age. Not only does it restore your energy for the next day, but it can also heal physical and cognitive damage in your body. A “good night’s sleep” is typically 7-9 hours, but as you get older, it can be difficult to achieve that every night. But if you’re aware of the health benefits of sleep, you may be more likely to make a stronger effort and get the rest you need.
Reasons Why Sleep is Important for Seniors
Sleep Improves Your Mood. Sleep is deeply intertwined with your mental health. If you don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. And if you’re suffering from a mental disorder, it can lower your sleep quality in turn. To prevent this vicious cycle, it’s important to get proper sleep each night.
Sleep Helps to Maintain Your Weight. Restful sleep impacts your weight and metabolism in a positive way. When you get sufficient sleep, it regulates ghrelin — a hormone that stimulates appetite. If you find yourself deprived of sleep, your metabolism slows down which leads to weight gain.
Sleep Enhances Your Cognitive Functions. It’s a well-known fact that a lack of sleep negatively effects your attention span and short-term memory as well as deteriorates your decision-making abilities. Over time, sleep deprivation can also add to cognitive decline, memory loss and even the possibility of developing dementia. When you get enough quality sleep, however, your mind stays sharp and healthy.
Sleep Helps Your Brain Clear Toxins. Even when you’re sleeping, your brain is running at full speed. The glymphatic system — which is essentially the waste disposal system for the body — is 10 times more active while you sleep than during your waking hours, removing harmful toxins from your brain.
Sleep Lowers Your Risk of Disease. When you don’t get enough sleep, you increase the risk of serious health problems such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. This is due to stress on your body which then leads to inflammation and a weakened immune system. But when you get quality sleep, your body experiences restoration like muscle growth and tissue repair which are needed to keep your immune system going.
Experience Healthy Sleep and Aging at Crestwood Manor
Nothing is better than rest and relaxation followed by a full-night’s sleep. At Crestwood Manor, we offer a variety of activities and amenities to help you relax and prepare for a restful night. Calm your mind with every stroke of the paintbrush or pencil in our art studio. Get all your extra energy out with a swim in our indoor, heated pool. Settled down with a hot cup of your favorite beverage and a book from our library. No matter what you choose to relax you, Crestwood Manor has something for everyone so you can live your best years.
Come experience a healthy lifestyle with Crestwood Manor. Contact our team today or schedule your personal tour of our campus.
