What keeps you up at night is going to bite you in the derriere someday. Adequate sleep could be a key indicator of sharpness as you age as researchers have found that sleep difficulties may be linked to faster rates of decline in brain volume.
The Study
The study appeared in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study was conducted on 147 adults between the ages of 20 and 84 years. The researchers examined the link between sleep difficulties and brain volume.
Researchers say that sleep difficulties are linked with a more rapid decline in brain regions, including frontal, temporal and parietal areas.
The results were more pronounced in people over 60 years old.
“It is not yet known whether poor sleep quality is a cause or consequence of changes in brain structure,” said study author Claire Sexton from the University of Oxford in Britain.
“There are effective treatments for sleep problems, so future research needs to test whether improving people’s quality of sleep could slow the rate of brain volume loss and improve brain health,” Sexton noted.
Tips for better sleep
1) Dim the lights and practice some relaxing techniques to separate stress and anxiety.
2) Avoid naps during the day.
3) Exercise regularly to tucker you out.
4) Avoid smoking and coffee and other stimulants in the evening.
5) Have a particular time to crash and stick to it.
6) The mattress and pillow also make a big difference in sleeping patterns.
7) Avoid spicy and oily food, it can cause indigestion.
Courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation
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