For too many, however, health problems can significantly impair the quality of life in these latter years.
In particular, retirement can profoundly undermine sleep and be associated with factors leading to increasing insomnia difficulty.
Discover how retirement can ruin sleep and avoid the pitfalls that entrap too many retirees.
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Work Ends, A New Lifestyle Begins
Many people long for the end of working life.
Retirement is celebrated as an opportunity that everyone works toward.
In some cases, however, retirement-related changes can be problematic, especially negatively impacting sleep.
During the working years, most people adhere to a regular schedule.
Thealarm clockprompts a consistent wake time to arrive at work on time.
Though some people work less traditional shifts, many keep a consistent schedule Monday through Friday.
Once retirement arrives, the alarm clock may be permanently silenced.
Instead, you may decide to wake naturally and spontaneously.
Many older people notice that their sleep quality diminishes.
It becomes harder to fall asleep.
There are more frequent awakenings during the night.Early morning awakeningsmay come unbidden and lead to distress.
Extra time spent in bed may contribute to insomnia.
There can be other causes of diminished sleep quality as well.
Even among the healthy, changes in daytime activities may impact sleep at night.
A more restricted lifestyle, with less physical or social activity, may undermine sleep quality.
Increased frequency of naps may affect the ability to sleep at night.
Limitations in exercise can further diminish sleep quality.
Increased use ofalcoholor medications may exacerbate insomnia.
Failing health or the death of loved ones may provoke similar distress.
It is associated with snoring, daytime sleepiness, waking to urinate, and teeth grinding.
Advanced sleep-wake phase disorder occurs more in older populations.
This may lead to falling asleep early at night and waking several hours too early.
There are other potential contributors as well.
Chronic pain can impact sleep quality.
Some of the changes that occur in retirement can begin to affect the ability to sleep soundly.
Avoid spending extra time in bed as this will only worsen the quality of sleep.
Often a sleep study may be important to identify sleep apnea and other conditions that may be undermining sleep.
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