Health experts have warned that poor sleep is just as critical as diet and exercise for people in their 50s and 60s, and ignoring it can raise the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Sleep Quality Declines with Age
Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity and sleep expert for bedding provider Simba, emphasized that midlife is a key period for sleep because long-term health risks begin to rise. She stated: "Regularly sleeping badly has been linked with a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, low mood and anxiety. It can also make existing health conditions harder to manage."
Widespread Sleep Problems
Research by Simba found that 69% of Brits have trouble sleeping, with 80% of 16-24 year olds and 77% of 35-44 year olds affected. Stress, financial pressures, work demands, and social anxieties were cited as primary causes.
Sleep as a Health Priority
Ms Artis said: "Sleep deserves to be treated as seriously as diet and exercise, especially later in life. One poor night is not the issue, but repeatedly losing out on good-quality sleep can put extra pressure on the body and affect how well people recover, regulate stress and manage their health."
She warned that inadequate sleep can exacerbate existing health problems by impacting energy levels, focus, appetite, stress levels, and emotional resilience. Even small, regular sleep losses can accumulate over time, gradually affecting daily coping mechanisms.
Midlife Sleep Challenges
As people age, factors like menopause symptoms, long-term pain, stress, caring responsibilities, medication, or existing health conditions can interfere with sleep. Poor sleep on top of these can reduce resilience, affect mood and concentration, and make it harder to maintain healthy routines.
Tips for Better Sleep
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
- Reduce caffeine intake later in the day.
- Limit alcohol near bedtime.
- Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and comfortable.
- Get natural daylight in the mornings.
Ms Artis advised: "These small habits repeated consistently are usually more effective than one big change and easy to make to your daily routine bit by bit."
