How Circadian Rhythms Change as We Age (2024)

For most people, sleep-wake cycles follow the sun. As daylight breaks and temperatures get warmer, we wake up. As darkness falls, core body temperature drops and the body produces a hormone called melatonin that promotes sleep. This daily pattern is known as the circadian rhythm and, just like our minds and bodies, it tends to change with age.

How Do Our Circadian Rhythms Change with Age?

Circadian rhythms shift throughout our lifespan, peaking in lateness during adolescence Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source and then gradually shifting back as we age. Changes to the circadian rhythm are a common cause of sleep problems in older adults.

Starting at age 60 to 65, circadian rhythms get earlier Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source . Known as a phase advance, this shift means that older adults perform mental tasks Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source better in the morning and start to get sleepy earlier in the evening. Research also shows that circadian rhythm timing in older adults is more delicate, leading to fitful sleep if they don’t sleep within certain times.

What Does Sleep Look Like in Older Adults?

According to their internal body clock, most older adults need to go to sleep around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and wake up at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. Many people fight their natural inclination to sleep and choose to go to bed several hours later instead. Unfortunately, the body clock still kicks in and sends a wake-up call around 3 a.m., resulting in disturbed sleep from that point onward.

In terms of sleep quality, older adults spend more time in light sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source and less time in deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Light sleep is less restful, so the average older adult will wake up three or four times a night. It’s common for older adults to wake up and fall asleep Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source more suddenly compared to younger adults, leading to the feeling that you are spending most of the night awake.

On the whole, older adults get much less sleep on average than younger adults, even though their sleep needs are actually the same. Most older adults sleep only six-and-a-half to seven hours a night, falling short of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s recommendations Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source . Older adults also seem to have more trouble adapting to new sleep rhythms, so changes to their schedule might be more difficult to manage.

Sleep deprivation can make you tired, confused, and even depressed, symptoms which may be mistaken for dementia or other disorders. While it’s normal to experience sleep problems as you age, severe changes to your circadian rhythm may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source .

The Science Behind Aging and Circadian Rhythms

Researchers still don’t know for sure why the circadian rhythm shifts earlier as we age, but it’s likely a combination of biological and environmental factors. In later adulthood, outside cues for the circadian rhythm appear to become less effective. Researchers believe that certain clock genes may lose their rhythm Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source and be replaced with other genes that act a little differently.

Since light plays such a critical role in regulating the circadian rhythm, many studies have focused on how light exposure changes as we age. It may be that aging eyes don’t let as much light in, particularly the short-wave light Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source that is important for regulating the circadian rhythm. It might also be that we spend less time outdoors and more time in weak artificial light, which is not as effective at controlling our sleep-wake cycle. Cataract surgery Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source lets more light into the eyes and seems to improve sleep quality.

Additional considerations apply to residents of care homes, as they may spend less time outside in the sunlight and tend to be less active. Adults staying in long-term institutions may find themselves disturbed by noise and light during the night, especially if they share a room with someone else. Compared with more independent adults, care home residents are more likely to suffer from poor sleep and may spend most of the day drifting in and out of sleep.

How To Cope With Changing Circadian Rhythms as We Age

It is very difficult to fight the natural inclination of your body to sleep at certain times, so the easiest way to get better sleep as you age may be to shift your sleeping pattern earlier. You may be able to achieve sounder sleep by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Getting more light during the day may help you sleep through the night. If you prefer to go to sleep later, try not to get too much light in the morning hours. Instead, go for an evening walk or use light therapy later in the day. This can help delay the release of melatonin and “trick” your body into delaying your bedtime.

Sleep Hygiene Tips for Older Adults

An easy way to improve sleep is by adopting sleep hygiene habits that strengthen the circadian rhythm and create a mental association between bed and sleep. To start sleeping better, experts recommend:

• Keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet
• Avoiding and limiting alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco after lunch
• Avoiding liquids and large meals before bed
• Limiting naps to early in the day and a maximum of 30 minutes
• Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Getting daily exercise, preferably outside
• Turning off the TV and other screens an hour before bed
• Keeping the bed for sleeping and sex only
• Getting out of bed and doing something else if you can’t sleep

You should also make it a priority to treat any underlying sleep disorders or other conditions such as chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, or prostate disorders. Talk to your doctor to see if you can adjust your medication schedule to minimize the effects on your sleep. In the short term, your doctor may prescribe melatonin supplements or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to help re-establish a healthy sleep pattern.

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