B O O M R Z N E T W O R K
A Community for Baby Boomers
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026 | BOOMRZ NETWORK
Remember sleeping like a rock? Many of us do, usually with a sigh.
Somewhere around our fifties and sixties, nights got lighter, shorter,
and more interrupted. If you’re waking at 3 a.m. and staring at the
ceiling, you are far from alone. The encouraging news is that small,
steady changes can make a real difference.
“Good sleep isn’t a luxury of youth. It’s a
foundation for every year that follows.”
What Changes as We Age
Sleep naturally becomes lighter as we get older, and our internal clock
often shifts earlier, which is why you may be nodding off during the
evening news and wide awake at dawn. Add in aches, medications, and
a bladder with its own opinions, and rest can feel like a negotiation.
Most adults still do best with about seven to eight hours.
Five Habits Worth Trying
1. Keep a steady schedule. Go to bed and wake up at roughly the
same time every day, weekends included.
2. Get morning light. Fifteen to thirty minutes outdoors early in the
day helps set your body clock.
3. Watch the afternoon caffeine. That 3 p.m. cup of coffee can still
be working at midnight.
4. Build a wind-down hour. Dim the lights, put the phone down, and
try a book, gentle music, or a warm shower.
5. Make the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Save the bed for
sleep, not for the 11 o’clock news.
About That Nap
A short nap of twenty to thirty minutes in the early afternoon can be
refreshing. Long naps late in the day, however, often steal sleep from
the night ahead.
When to Call the Doctor
Occasional bad nights are normal. But loud snoring, gasping during
sleep, restless legs, or insomnia lasting weeks deserve a conversation
with your doctor, as do any questions about sleep aids and how they
mix with your current medications. Don’t just put up with it.
Join the Conversation
What helps you get a good night’s rest? A routine, a favorite tea, a
certain kind of music? Scroll down to the Comments section below
and add to the conversation. Share your best tip, and maybe
someone reading will finally sleep through the night.
boomrz.net | A Community for Baby Boomers