Strategies to tackle insomnia

Insomnia is a common and often frustrating sleep disorder, marked by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and being unable to drift back off.

It affects more than one in 10 Australians at any given time and becomes increasingly prevalent with age, with older people more likely to experience disrupted sleep or chronic sleeplessness. 

For many, the condition doesn’t just disturb nights; it spills into the day, bringing low energy, irritability, poor concentration, and a general sense of not feeling refreshed. 

As we grow older, the architecture of sleep naturally changes. Sleep becomes lighter, awakenings more frequent, and the internal body clock may shift, making restful nights harder to achieve. 

Research suggests that up to half of older adults have trouble initiating or maintaining sleep, and as many as one in five meet the criteria for an insomnia disorder. 

Despite these challenges, the need for restorative sleep does not diminish with age; adults over 65 still require around seven to eight hours each night for optimal health. 

The reasons behind insomnia can be complex. Sometimes the cause is obvious, be it stress, illness, or environmental disturbances. In other cases, underlying medical conditions, chronic pain, medication side effects, or mental health concerns play a significant role. 

In older adults especially, insomnia often appears alongside other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, depression, or cognitive changes, which can worsen or perpetuate sleep problems. 

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional about any health concerns or before making any changes to your medication, diet, or exercise routine.