Secrets to better sleep for seniors

As we grow and age, our sleep needs and patterns change. Everyone knows that babies sleep the most—practically all day—and that adults require the least. Older adults require about the same as young adults (about 7-9 hours), but many seniors don’t get enough sleep at night, so they tend to fall asleep during the day.

Sleep can be described in two ways: non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep. Our bodies cycle through these two types of sleep about every hour and a half. Sleep is linked to health and wellness. When you don’t get restorative sleep, your mood changes, you have less energy during the day, and your body just doesn’t function well overall. Because of this, it is extremely important for older adults to get the best sleep possible.

It is recommended that people wait to sleep at least 30 mins after eating so that your body can properly digest the food. But what you eat last also can determine how well you sleep.

Here are 10 foods that will lead to better sleep for seniors: almonds, bananas, cherries, crackers and cheese, green tea, hummus, lentils, popcorn, peanut butter, walnuts.