One common issue frequently mentioned by retired people, is the difficulty they face in sleeping at night. Many resort to using prescription sleeping tablets but still find themselves awake in the early hours of the morning (2am), tossing and turning in bed.
According to a retired woman I spoke with, she attributes her sleepless nights to inactivity. She explained that before retiring, she was constantly engaged physically and mentally. However, with retirement, both these activities have reduced. Recognizing that inactivity is the root cause, she is making an effort to increase her physical activity by walking, exercising, and doing household chores. Additionally, she is seeking out activities to keep her mind stimulated, as she feels her mind is not as occupied as it was during her working days.
On my day off from work, I tend to relax in front of the TV to give my body a complete rest. However, this lack of activity on my rest day once a week makes it difficult for me to sleep at night. I sometimes have trouble falling asleep even after taking a magnesium tablet and may resort to natural remedies to help me get sleepy. Additionally, I often wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep because I don't feel tired. On workdays though, I don't have trouble falling asleep and rarely experience restlessness during the night.
What this senior woman established aligns with what I discovered during my days off from work.
To ensure a good night's sleep, it's important to engage in both physical and mental activities that tire your body out. This can be challenging in today's world (2024) with high crime rates. Access to outdoor spaces may be limited, such as living in a third-floor apartment without a garden. While traditional exercise options like going to a gym may not be feasible, staying active doesn't necessarily involve formal workouts or gardening. Engaging in activities that require movement, like baking or cooking, can be beneficial as they keep you on your feet. Additionally, there are plenty of walking exercise videos on YouTube that can be done indoors, as well as tasks like washing windows, cleaning, or volunteering at your local charity, that keep you physically engaged.
There was a man without a job who spent his days volunteering at the nearby charity organization for 6 hours each day. There was always something to do at the charity. By the time he returned home after his 6-hour stint, he was completely exhausted and slept soundly.
Sleeplessness comes with inactivity. Try to be more active and enjoy restful nights again.
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