The secret to better sleep as you get older revealed

As we age, our schedules are more likely to change, and we are more prone to social isolation — just some of the factors that can affect our sleep

With age, we naturally produce less melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep/wake cycle. Picture: iStock

ALTHOUGH our sleep patterns can change as we get older, the amount of sleep we need remains unchanged: Seven to nine hours a night.

However, this target can be difficult to achieve, as shifting sleep patterns — combined with the natural effects of ageing — can hamper sleep quality.