Is it true as one get older the less sleep one get?
By neelianoscet
@neelianoscet (9615)
Philippines
April 19, 2010 7:41am CST
I always observe my elderly aunt always sleep ahead among all us during the nighttime and yet wake up earlier than us. I think as one get older there is a reduced sleep pattern changes as one tend to get older. In your own observation as one get older there is a tendency to deviate from the same sleeping pattern which one been used to be during younger years. Do you think it is true or not. Maybe, the sleeping pattern changes depending on the status by being a young adult, middle adults up to older adults. Comparing to younger person, an older person tend to have less activity during the day and felt less tired whereas a young person tend to have more extraneous activity both mentally and physically. Not so much of having an insomnia or anxiety as mostly too much sleep during the day is seen too as not normal behavior.
What are some of the reason, why older person get less sleep? Kindly shares your thoughts based on your experiences? Thank you.
4-19-10
7:40
7 people like this
27 responses
@setsuna26 (2751)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
My parents always tells me that they are having problems sleeping they say mainly because they are aging already. Now that im an adult i think having a hard time sleeping is not just fully dependent on age alone. As we grow up we tend to think bout lots of stuff going on in our daily lives, the kind of things that makes us worry most of the time.Stress that is, may it be from work or from your peers or just bout anywhere we get our stress from. And when we think bout these things our mind is working, hence we will have a hard time trying to fall asleep.At least thats my observation lol
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Hi setsuna,
i also feel the same things because my mind is occupy by many things i often forget the time that it is getting late already that i never sleep on time. probably, because i am so excited to do some things and so it makes me sleep less when I am thinking to accomplish taking for granted some good sleep is not attainable in a short nap. But when i really felt tired and even if my mind like to say no but my body pull me to go to sleep. it is then i could not refuse and sleep into dream land. By the way I am also curious too many elderly sleep earlier then wake up earlier the next morning. They really have a short sleep and I so wonder if it is already enough for them and also with me since I also get little sleep. it may mean I am getting older too just like you so we understand now what it is to be aging..lol..Thanks for your responses and have a nice day:)
3 people like this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
Especially if one is worrying and felt a lot of anxiety when one have to think over some situation like attending a job interview or contest. In my case even if I have no insomnia i hardly sleep earlier at night when i am thinking of something that excites me and just wonder about the outcomes which would favor or disappoint me. Those are some of the reasons and sometimes when i am feeling sick I could not sleep well. And not just my eyes, even if my body felt tired my mind just won't allow me to sleep. It never happen daily but in some situation it do occurs. have a nice day
2 people like this
@setsuna26 (2751)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
Keep in mind that for as long as we are thinking about alot of stuff then we will not be able to focus on sleeping alone. Try to remember one day before your trip or something that you really want to do, you wont be able to sleep soundly that night because you will be excited with all the things that you will be doing thats why your eyes are going to be mostly wide awake all the time.
@gracefuldove (1668)
• Malaysia
20 Apr 10
basically nee, adults need like 8 hours of sleep. this is ideal. but sleep pattern differs as one ages. some tend to sleep early and get up late. there are again eldery people who sleeps late and get up late. this group of late night sleepers hardly join friends or relatives for breakfast. they can have brunch. i normally need 8 hours of sleep with a cat nap during the day time.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi gracefuldove,
It would be great if all irregardless of aged receives plenty of sleep it is good for the skin, body and mind. it truly refresh and sharpen one thinking if one is able to rest and receives a blissful sleep. Napping too help to fill in the loss time of sleep but for me nothing beat a nigh time sleep as the night is really made for bedtime rest though some could not attain the same schedules because of their work and busy lifestyles. thanks for your responses.
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
20 Apr 10
Hey neelian! I am an "older person", but maybe not your typical
person to speak to about sleep habits! I have Insmonia and can
stay up pretty much for days at a time because I just can't fall
asleep! That doesn't mean that I am not totally exhausted and
can function well! I am tired, cranky, sleepy, but can't fall
asleep! And if I do fall asleep it is usually early in the mornning
and I sleep during the day which upsets the whole sleep pattern
once again and I am up all night! For some reason with me when
I get into bed, even though I am sleepy, when I turn off the lights,
I can't turn off my brain! So, I lie in bed, read, and if I can't fall
asleep in about a half hour I get up and sometimes turn the computer
back on until the early hours of the morning which is really a bad thing!
1 person likes this
@lordcaocao2025 (4098)
• Indonesia
20 Apr 10
Well for me, when i was a child i have many sleep. I think i sleep alot back then. When i was in college, my sleep patern changing. I have less and less sleep. I usually sleep at 2 AM and wake up at 5 to 6 AM. Now, when i have a job, my sleep pattern change too. I sleep usually around 00 - 00.30 AM and wake up at 5. I think people has less sleep when they get older because they have many thing to do. As for me, since i have a job, i rarely have fun at day time so i max my night time. Well that's is from me.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi lordcacao,
That right you also observe the same things as one grow old the less sleep one get and it does not mean one does not like to sleep but only the sleeping pattern changes because of many reasons which you already stated. It may because of being busy and lot of work contributing to time delay in sleep scheduling and may be result of stress. Thanks for your responses.
2 people like this
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Apr 10
As far as I am concerned, I think what you have said may be the truth when we are a little older. With the ages increasing in our life, we will just need little by little sleep for a day, what the most of our time is at awake,when I think we should do something to keep us in good condition. For me , my father is a little older now, he will just sleep more few hours in a day. Most of his time is spent on the othr things. Just for he can not sleep in the night.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi monkeylong,
It may also mean older people tend to sleep less since their body is already able to withstand late nights by doing short napping whenever they could just to make up to the loss time of sleep. You also observe the same things which i do wonder for a long time if they are enough when they are aging faster they should need more sleep which is the opposite. And whenever i ask my elderly aunt or parents they always tell me that they always felt sleepy during the night but could not stay long in bed like the time when they are still young. i think they are already acquainted to such habit and their sleep pattern changes depending on the body needs. Sometimes being busy and thinking of stress deprolong their sleep. thanks for your responses.
2 people like this
@desperatehousewife (161)
• China
20 Apr 10
Hi, there.
Well, I'm not sure. But I know that my parents in their late fifties sleep less than they did. And they wake up more often throughout the night. They told me that they usually have naps during the daytime while can't sleep well in bed during the night. I don't know why.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi desperatehousewife,
What a name? you remind of the desperate housewives Tv sitcom series. Anyway, that is also I find out as one grow older their is less time devoted to sleep which you already witness in your parents. Some are not really busy, stressful or suffering from insomnia. it is like their body and mind is already program to sleep earlier and wake up earlier and it maybe because they already do napping the day is one things they could regain their lost sleep. Some wake up in the middle of the night just to pee, get a snack or just to drink when they felt thirsty. thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
19 Apr 10
As I have grown older I have noticed my sleep patterns changing. I have suffered from insomnia off and on for a number of years and now I sleep less at night than I used to. I do, however, find myself wanting a little afternoon nap on occasions, just to recharge a little before I can get on with the chores.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
hi recycledgoth,
I too notice the same things when I am younger let say between the age of 14 to latter years i sleep less. Not because that i have insomnia but get a busy lifestyles and have more responsibilities compare before that i only think about myself and not involves with other things. It have to do so with maturity and whether some admit it or not. As one get older their are more stress and felt like their is little relaxation and need to be serious to be respected by other people too. In you cases you have insomnia and that probably the main cause getting reduce sleep and napping for sure helps to make the gaps in sleeping patten get fix which you fail to attain at night. Thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
19 Apr 10
I love to sleep a lot before and my elder sister warned me not to sleep so much as there will be a time when I will sleep forever.
We are given the chance now to appreciate the wonders of the world and should reduce our sleep to feel the fresh air and light while we still can. And for your question, I am not sure why we need less sleep as we grow old.
We are given the chance now to appreciate the wonders of the world and should reduce our sleep to feel the fresh air and light while we still can. And for your question, I am not sure why we need less sleep as we grow old. 1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
hi zandi,
lol..that is my fear too as some say too much sleep whether it is done at night or during daytime is consider sleeping disorder and not a good habit to maintain. I am not really into long sleep even during the day or nigh time since i already program my mind and body to wake up at the same time but most of the time when it comes to sleeping at the same time at night it really varies. Since most of the time i am so busy with other things it occupy my mind and i could not help myself but get so infuse with those things which attracts me. Nowday, I try to figure out to lessen some activities which makes me sleep late at night and as much as possible try myself to balance all things back to normal as before. thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@derek_a (10873)
•
19 Apr 10
I have found that since my 30s I have needed less sleep. I sleep for about 6 hours a night at most. At first I worried about it, then I talked to a friend of mine who told me that he didn't sleep very much either and worrying about it only made him more tired. So I am quite happy about it. My body will go to sleep when it needs to and there is no sign that I am going to sleep any more. _Derek
_Derek1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
hi derek,
I too observe the same things as before i tend to sleep more than 8 hours per night now my sleeping pattern varies and the times changes constantly. the shorter sleep i remember i only mange to sleep less than 2 hours and it really not enough sleep. I tend to get back the lost sleep i have with napping during daytime but it is still less. Nothing really beat a good night sleep during night time. It is true too the body and mind coordinates with each other and it is best to listen to them to get the best sleep one desires. thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
19 Apr 10
i noticed that too with my grandparents, when they were still alive. they got to sleep early and wake up early too. they got to have shorter sleeping time, i guess. less than when we were younger too. even my father in law, now i really notice that he sleeps almost the same period as my grandparents used to do. but i also noticed, that they use to get more short naps during the day.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
hi neildc,
I am too wonder with the same situation and I always think if ever the sleep they get is already enough at their fragile ages. And when i ask them they say it is enough already fro them such a quick and short sleep and the one who need sleep most of the times as they believe is the younger as they are still in the process of growing up. Maybe it have something to do too with their lifestyles as some situation entails most older people to retired earlier giving them less activity and exposure to work and exercises as they tend to be less busy than the younger generation. Especially those who suffer from high blood pressure they tend to sleep earlier then wake up earlier which really differs as they use to be. Thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
20 Apr 10
I think some older people tend to catnap a lot during the day. Therefore, they don't need as much sleep at night. My mother said she used to notice this about my grandmother on daddy's side of the family. She (my grandmother) would go to bed at 12:00 p.m. and get up at 5:00 a.m. the next morning. My mother, on the other hand, would go to bed about 10:00 or 10:30 and get up around 7:00 or 7:30 the next morning. I think that's the time she got up. I don't remember for sure but she got up early. Kathy.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi cyrus,
The same things with my elderly parents and relatives who visit my home to have a sleep over they often sleep ahead during night time then wake up earlier than 3:00 am which often disturb me since i could heard already their talk and movement. I also notice the sleeping pattern of those who live in the city and in the country differs. I has an Aunt who grew up in farm and she often sleep earlier then wake up earlier. She just tell me that it is already their custom since they have to go to the farm to plants seed so they avoid the scorching heat of the plants. Yeah, napping is the best way to regain the loss sleep. thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Apr 10
As far as I am concerned, I think what you have said may be the truth when we are a little older. With the ages increasing in our life, we will just need little by little sleep for a day, what the most of our time is at awake,when I think we should do something to keep us in good condition. For me , my father is a little older now, he will just sleep more few hours in a day. Most of his time is spent on the othr things. Just for he can not sleep in the night.
1 person likes this
@myramae19 (667)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
Older people still need about the same amount of sleep and this is an area that many times goes untreated by their doctors. Many assume that it is part of aging, when in fact it is not
Older people sometimes sleep less because of several factors.
1. Older people sleep less deeply and wake up often in the night so they nap more in the day
2 Sleep patterns change
3Medications
4Anxieties
5 illnesse
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
hi myramae,
I believe too they are also interrelated as my observation, my father has a highblood pressure. He sleep earlier than us during nightime then wake up earlier only to find later on doing the napping most of the time. he also slow to move and i always remind him to walk or get a slight exercises so that his blood would circulate around his body to avoid getting cramps. But it never changes and i think it have something to do with his diseases not just as aging as you reiterate which is somehow true. All the things you mention are the contributing factors for elderly sleeping pattern changes. Thanks for your responses.
3 people like this
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
I dont think its true. My grandfather is already 86 years old and he sleeps a lot. My grandpa sleeps early, he is already in bed at 7 pm and he wakes up at 5 am. After eating breakfast he sleeps again for a few hours and he wakes up around lunch time do something and then eat lunch. After lunch he watched tv and then sleeps again and wakes up around 5 pm and do other things again, eat and then sleep.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi p3k626,
maybe it also depending on each person if they still could move and remain active they could have a regular sleep while some are deprive especially if they have insomnia and other debilitating disorders which makes them to slow to move. perhaps, it would be fine if all receives plenty of sleep since it is good both to the body and mind irregardless of ages but it really varies as you mention with yiur own observation. thanks for responding.
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Apr 10
MY father, at nearly 97, goes to bed at 7.30pm and awakes at 8.30am. He then has an afternoon nap from 12.30 to 5.30.
There is not much he is interested in doing so he sleeps. Or has a snooze.
Everyone is different. I sleep less at night these days but I have more time as I no longer work so I have afternoon naps each day.
Not everyone sleeps less as they get older.
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
15 May 10
the reason must depend on teh older people. Older people are more discipline. Some are getting sleepy as early as 7pm and what they do is to sleep. they have lesser activity maybe because they know their priorities. My father as much as he want to sleep early he can't because of us. The night is just started for us at 9pm at home. And older people are much easy to fall as sleep and get tired. The lesser activity they do in the daytime still makes them tired. 
@piya84 (2580)
• India
20 Apr 10
Yes it is true that as we get older and older we tend to sleep less and less.My grandma is above 90 degree and she says she sleep for 4-5 hours daily only.
Opposite to that i am in my twenty and i sleep more than 8 hours daily otherwise i dont feel fresh.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
20 Apr 10
hi piya,
That very true as most respondents also observe the same things happen not only to the elderly but also to the young adults. it may have something to do too with the busy lifestyles and especially if one mind is so preoccupy with many things so t may be the sources of reduce sleep. Some think it is all about insomnia and other causes of sleeping disorder. The body need a lot of sleep and many older people think the young need them most than them. Thanks for your responses.
2 people like this
@janeajozelle (197)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
i believe on it most of the times that is what i observe among the old folks. thay are easily fall sleep unlike the young who mostly suffer from sleep deprivation since most are addicted in surfing the internet.
@fantasticbabe (981)
• Philippines
27 Apr 10
maybe it is true i also observe it to my elderly parents they sleep early and wake up early. It keep me confuse since they easily sleep often most of the times even though they never work hard since they are already retired. also they do constant napping most f the times that is why i often advice them not to sleep since it is also bad to their health.
