EVEN if they're tossing and turning at night, older Aussies are still more likely to bounce out of bed in the morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
New research shows people aged 65 and over are happier with their shut-eye than those who are younger.
"We found that older people are not sleeping particularly well, but they have considerably less sleep-related fatigue and irritability than younger people," Professor Robert Adams, a sleep specialist with the Sleep Health Foundation, said.
"It's positive to see that despite some pretty significant disruption older people are, on the whole, less bothered by a bad night's sleep and wake feeling refreshed."
The foundation surveyed more than 1000 people and found more than half (52 per cent) of older people wake a lot during the night, compared to 40 per cent of young people.
"They're also more likely to wake too early (40 vs 33 per cent) and have just as much difficulty falling asleep at night," Professor Adams said.
"But, and it's a big but, how they feel about this sleep differs considerably from working-age people.
"A third wake up feeling unrefreshed, compared with 48 per cent of other people, and 61 per cent feel they get adequate sleep, compared to 47 per cent of those under 65."
Professor Adams believes older people may have their relaxed retiree lifestyle to thank for the results.
"My feeling is their daytime demands are lower in general. They've got less time pressure, less general stress and more flexibility so don't feel as fatigued," he said.
"It's also possible that older Australians have learnt to mask their sleep problem with caffeine, as results show 28 per cent have 4-5 caffeinated drinks a day."
Tips to prepare for the end of daylight saving
Daylight saving can affect our sleeping pattern.
People in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT will turn their clocks back an hour on April 7, meaning they'll enjoy an extra hour of sleep.
Gaining an hour isn't nearly as disruptive as losing one in October. But here are a few tips from The Sleep Foundation to ensure your shut-eye isn't put out too much:
- Try to get to bed around 15-20 minutes later in the couple of days running up to the beginning of daylight saving
- On Sunday morning, enjoy the extra hour and sleep a little longer
- Make the bedroom as light as possible when you first wake up in the morning
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Spend some time outside in the sunlight in the morning
- Exercise outside in the mornings over the weekend
- Get at least seven hours sleep each night - more if you are under 20
- Plan to exercise earlier in the day but not just before going to bed
- Limit coffee or other caffeinated drinks in the evening
- Put your light emitting telephone or iPad away at least an hour before bed
- Leave at least an hour after your dinner meal before going to bed