5 Reasons Why Seniors Struggle To Wake Up

One of the most common side effects of growing old is thought to be chronic fatigue. Most people assume that tiredness just comes hand in hand with age and there’s nothing that can be done about it. But the truth isn’t so black and white.

As we get older, our bodies go through a lot of physiological changes that we have to adjust to. These changes do result in extra stress that will make us tired, but they’re not required.

There are many reasons why you may be fatigued as a senior. Some of those reasons may require medical help while others can be fixed with a bit of tweaking in your daily lifestyle.

Here are 5 typical reasons that seniors struggle with waking up and fight the battle with chronic fatigue daily.

Trouble Waking Up? It Might be One of These Causes

Our sleeping patterns change over time, from the moment we are born to the time that we die. If you’re noticing trends in your sleeping cycles different than what you are used to, it’s perfectly common. Some of the most frequently cited complaints include trouble falling asleep and often-interrupted rest.

Many seniors notice that it’s harder for them to wake up when they want to. Sticking to a routine or setting the alarm clock to make a scheduled event becomes more and more difficult. Instead of giving up and creating a cycle of sleeping all day and dealing with insomnia all night, check to see if one of these reasons might be the culprit for your body’s unwillingness to wake up easily.

1. More frequent urinary troubles get you up throughout the night. It’s not fun, but as we get older our bladders can’t always hold out the way they once were able to. Are you getting up frequently to use the bathroom? How often? You may have a medical condition that you can get treatment for from your primary care physician.

Be careful not to quickly write this off as a non-issue for you. If you’re a deep sleeper and you can’t wake up in the morning, there’s a chance you have this problem and don’t realize you’re getting up. Using the restroom is an ingrained habit that people do on autopilot. To check to see if you are doing this without noticing, set a book or a stack of clothes on your toilet seat the night before and see if it has moved the next day.

2. You may suffer from sleep apnea. Over 22 million people in the United States suffer from a condition called sleep apnea. This is a sleep disorder that ranges from annoying to serious. With sleep apnea, your breathing stops and starts throughout the night without you being aware of it. For people who sleep alone, they may never realize they have a problem since one of the symptoms is loud snoring.

However, if you feel tired after you’ve slept all night and you have trouble waking up, you may have some form of sleep apnea. Check with your doctor if you are concerned that this condition might pertain to you.

3. You aren’t getting the right vitamins in your diet. Our bodies also process vitamins and minerals differently as we age. What used to be enough to get you through suddenly isn’t working the same way. That’s part of the reason you’ll see multivitamins geared for children, teens, men, women, and seniors.

To get a restful night’s sleep, your body requires Vitamins D, E, and B, as well as enough iron, calcium, and magnesium to function properly. There are natural supplements that you can take, such as melatonin and chamomile, to help you sleep more soundly. But if this is a regular occurrence for you, check your daily vitamin intake, get your bloodwork done by your doctor, and make sure your diet is right for your body’s needs.

4. You aren’t getting enough exercise. Physical activity is necessary to make your body tired enough to sleep well. The more exercise you get, the better your sleep duration and quality. Exercise can also help reduce your stress, particularly if you are getting your physical activity in the fresh air and sunlight.

5. Your mattress is causing you physical discomfort. The wrong mattress can put pressure on your joints and bones, causing discomfort while you sleep that makes you toss and turn. Restless sleep doesn’t let your brain do what it needs to rejuvenate and heal itself from the stresses of the day. Without enough time to heal, your body will have a hard time getting up the next day.

You Don’t Have to Struggle Anymore

Your struggle with waking up could be caused by something that’s easily fixable. It could also be something that requires medical help and your body is calling out for help by telling you it is tired and working too hard.

Either way, chronic fatigue and trouble waking up is not just a side effect of old age. There is a reason for your problem and once you determine the cause and get help for it, you won’t continue to suffer from struggling to wake up every day anymore.

About the Author:

Franco Colomba is an Author, Copywriter by day and Motorcycle junkie by night. He enjoys writing and is a HubSpot Content Marketing Certified Professional and contributes frequently to many other sites. He is currently living in the wonderful island of Puerto Rico and loves to road trip on his time away from the office.