Page 23 - The Brain Health Guide

THE BRAIN HEALTH GUIDE
the National Institute of Health highlights how quality sleep,
which can include an afternoon nap, helps cognition such as
memory.
Quality sleep is a basic maintenance measure. Sleep keeps things
humming, similar to routine oil changes that keep your car’s
engine running well. Sleep is not only necessary to recharge the
body, it is now considered crucial to good brain health.

Monitor Your Sleeplessness
From diet to daily exercise, many variables contribute to poor
sleep. To improve your quality of sleep and overall well-being,
first you have to understand what’s contributing to poor sleep.
As millions of people grow older, many experience age-related
sleeping changes because their days (and minds) are crowded
with anxiety and stress.

There are several common factors that contribute to poor sleep.
Know your risk factors for poor sleep so you can rest well and
wake up feeling more refreshed.
Insomnia in older adults can be caused by many chronic
conditions such as arthritis when pain and discomfort may
prevent the body from getting needed rest. Sleep apnea is
another health problem not uncommon in older adults. This
is a serious health concern that disrupts sleep repeatedly
throughout the night. Another common concern is when a
person’s legs and arms feel agitated and make it difficult to fall
asleep.

People who suffer from these or other underlying conditions
are often getting a poor night’s sleep. This is obviously an

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