Sleep is important for body maintenance

As we progress through life, we are expected to do everything: go to school, get a good education, cultivate a career, raise a family, and so on. With so many things to do and only 24 hours in a day, to fit more into the day, what do we sacrifice? Sleep.
Personally, as a medical student, I and my colleagues were bombarded with so much schoolwork and expected to participate in extracurricular activities that I found myself sacrificing sleep to keep up with everything.

Once I started prioritizing sleep, I found myself more alert, in better moods, with less aches and pains, and I had better school performance. Therefore, I want to convince you that sleep is so important!

Sacrificing sleep is not healthy, especially for older adults.

Why should we care about sleep? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep helps promote growth and repair in the body, and decreases the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Sleep promotes healthy brain functioning!

According to a review published in MEDtube Science, during the sleep phase, the brain “recharges itself,” clearing out detrimental waste products and promoting memory formation. Therefore, sleep should be thought of as maintenance for the body, something that protects our vital organ systems.

It is important to recognize that sleep disorders plague the older population. According to a review published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, over 30 percent of older adults report insomnia symptoms.

Insomnia is a real problem for older adults: It encompasses issues falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up a lot at night. This can lead to feeling very sleepy throughout the day, which can affect your daily routine.

Be careful with using pharmacological sleep aids or other medicines. Rather, it is important to develop good habits to promote better sleep.

Here are some tips offered by the National Institutes of Aging to promote healthy sleep habits that will help you be at your best every day:

— Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night;

— Maintain a schedule and develop a bedtime routine;

— Avoid long naps in the afternoon;

— Avoid television or using smartphones/tablets/computers right before bed;

— Avoid exercise, eating large meals, or caffeine close to bedtime; and

— Ensure that you have a safe place to sleep. Keep your phone charged, home secure, keep a flashlight with you, and do small things to help you feel comfortable.

If you have any issues with sleep, please seek out your health-care provider or other resources. Maintaining good sleep can help you function your best and prevent the development of chronic conditions down the road.

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Community Caregivers is a not-for-profit agency supported by community donations and grants from the Albany County Department for Aging, the New York State Department of Health and Office for the Aging, and the United States Administration on Aging.

Editor’s note: Kartik Nath, a Community Caregivers volunteer, is a student at Albany Medical College who is slated to graduate in 2026.