Ever notice how Grandma’s up before the sun and already had a cup of tea before you’ve even opened your eyes?
Turns out, that’s not just wisdom—it’s biology.
Here’s the surprising truth about sleep after 60—and what you can actually do about it.
A comprehensive review published in Clinics in Geriatric Medicine by sleep experts from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Washington analyzed decades of research on how aging affects sleep. The result? Sleep after 60 changes—a lot. But not all of it is bad… and some of it is totally normal.
1. Yes, You’re Sleeping Less… but Maybe That’s OK
🕐 Total sleep time drops with age—from an average of 8.9 hours in young adults to 7.4 hours in older adults
🌙 That’s normal. After age 60, sleep time tends to plateau. So don’t chase 8 hours like it’s the golden rule.
2. Night Wakings Are Real—and Common
🛌 Healthy older adults wake up 27 times per hour on average
😵 Younger adults? Just 10–20 wakings per hour
💡 This “fragmented sleep” isn’t ideal, but sometimes it’s not even noticed—thanks to midday naps or a flexible schedule
3. Sleep Complaints Drop With Age (Yes, Really)
😴 Only 5% of older adults meet the criteria for clinical insomnia
🧠 But insomnia can have real consequences:
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23% higher risk of developing depression
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3x higher chance of chronic insomnia if symptoms persist
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Up to 3.9x higher risk of heart disease
4. The Brain on Bad Sleep
🧓 Sleep fragmentation (lots of brief arousals) = 50% increased risk of Alzheimer’s
😵 Insomnia linked with cognitive decline, slower reaction times, and more fatigue
5. What Works (and What Doesn’t)
✅ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) – effective, drug-free, and long-lasting
✅ Sleep hygiene – think cool, dark room + consistent wake times
✅ Brief, well-timed naps – they’re not evil
🚫 Long-term use of sleeping pills – can lead to falls, memory fog, and dependence
Bonus: A Little Help from Nature 🌿
At Sana Herbal Sciences®, we crafted Nerve Aid with gentle, calming herbs like valerian and skullcap—designed to promote deeper, continuous sleep without grogginess.
Because sometimes the most healing thing isn’t just more hours in bed—it’s better quality sleep.
Shop Nerve Aid on SanaHerbal.com
TL;DR?
✔️ Less sleep after 60 = normal
✔️ Trouble falling or staying asleep + daytime fatigue = time to act
✔️ Quality over quantity wins every time
Sweet dreams 😌
