Want to Sleep Better After 65? Try This One Trick

As we get older, getting a good night’s sleep can become more challenging. Many people over 65 find themselves waking up during the night or struggling to fall asleep in the first place. But there’s one simple trick that can make a big difference: sticking to a consistent sleep routine and schedule.

Why does this help? Our bodies have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm, which tells us when it’s time to be awake and when it’s time to rest. As we age, this clock can get out of sync, making deep, restful sleep harder to achieve. By going to bed and waking up at the same times every day—even on weekends—you help reset your body’s clock so it knows exactly when to wind down and when to wake up naturally.

Creating a calming bedtime routine is part of this trick too. About an hour before bed, try turning off electronic screens like phones or TVs because their blue light tricks your brain into thinking it should stay awake. Instead, do something relaxing such as reading a book, listening to soft music, or taking a warm bath. These activities signal your body that it’s time for rest.

Your bedroom environment also plays an important role in helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Keep your room cool—around 70 degrees or cooler—and quiet with minimal light exposure at night by using blackout curtains or eye masks if needed. Make sure your mattress and pillows are comfortable so you don’t wake up stiff or sore.

Another helpful tip is managing daytime habits: avoid long naps especially late in the afternoon because they reduce how tired you feel at bedtime; instead aim for short naps earlier in the day if necessary.

If hunger sometimes keeps you awake at night, try having a small snack rich in natural sleep-supporting nutrients like oats or dairy products before bed—these contain substances that encourage melatonin production (the hormone that helps regulate sleep).

By combining these steps—consistent timing for sleeping and waking up, calming pre-sleep activities without screens, creating an ideal bedroom environment with comfort and darkness—you give yourself one powerful tool for better sleep after 65 without needing medications or complicated treatments.

This simple approach respects how our bodies change with age but still supports healthy rest so mornings feel more refreshed rather than groggy from interrupted nights of tossing and turning.