However, there has been no negative effects.
But when I sleep almost nothing will wake me up. A guy mows my lawn for me. I don't hear him when he's here, I don't hear people knocking on my door, I don't hear the phone ring and I don't hear the alarm on my phone, when for most of life, noises like that would always wake me up, so maybe I need fewer hours because I'm sleeping more soundly. I don't know.
I also don't get up to pee although the norm was, until about a year ago, I got up to go every night, often twice per night.
Once every few months I get 8+ hours of sleep in a night and I wake up very slowly where it takes me a full minute before I can even open my eyes all the way. I wish I could sleep more because like most people I love to sleep.
However, there has been no negative effects.
What is thought to be happening is that the older you get, the more your role changes from that of a provider to that of a watchman to protect the household. The seniors watch for threats when they are most likely present and the younger adults can sleep soundly so that they can provide for the household during the day.
I never used to nap at all but now I do a minimum 3-4 hrs at night and a nap in the afternoon and maybe a wine induced one after supper...
Wife doesn’t understand it. You mess with her 8hr minimum and you are poking a tiger.
Personally, when I became a Sergeant and in charge of people, my entire sleep pattern got jacked. I went from a deep sleeper, to light sleeper almost instantly. As a husband and father, I have remained that way ever since. Most nights I need to have white noise machine in order to not be waking up at every sound. I am also a huge fan of naps, as long as they aren’t too long, that’ll get ya.
I've tried chamomile and valerian, Advil PM, half a beer to get drowsy, benadryl, tryptophan. Exercise doesnt make a difference at all.
If anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it.
I remember spending a few weeks of my summer vacations with my grandparents when I was a kid.
Every afternoon, around three o'clock, Grandpa would wink at Grandma and ask her if it wasn't time for them to take their "special nap."
Grandpa and Grandma would then "disappear" for about half an hour, I'd hear them turn on the radio in their bedroom, and then they'd come back looking refreshed and cheerful.
I always wondered how they could sleep with that "pro-wrestling" program always playing in the background. The grunts and snorts were especially annoying.
Years later, I found out that they had no radio in their bedroom.
So it's possible that your grandmother is indeed lying. Old folks tend to get less honest as they age.
Regards,
“I also don’t get up to pee although the norm was, until about a year ago, I got up to go every night, often twice per night.”
Ditto. I sleep all through the night now - since I got my MyPillow. Not kidding. It’s wonderful.
Brat kid trying to tell Mom when to sleep?
Leave Grandma alone.
No. At 77 I find myself requiring a ‘cat nap’ during the day. I’m usually ok with 5 hrs. sleep.
I’m 85 and a champion sleeper, often sleeping 10 hours per night. Walk into walls if I don’t get a good night’s sleep.
What happens as you get older is, the brain makes less of the chemical melatonin, which helps you sleep. I recommended buying melatonin tablets to a friend who has a heck of a time sleeping and it helps him. Occasionally I take some too. I’m very small, so 1/2 of a 3 mg tab is enough for me.
Trump’s doctor gave him 6 mg in the hospital when he had covid because The Donald doesn’t sleep well at all.
Retired now for 7 years. Usually up till around 11 pm. I’ve always woke up at 3:30 in the morning Usually fall back to sleep within the hour. Alarm set for 6am. If it is light I usually get up, in winter I’ll sleep for another hour.
I think not being as physically active can lead to shallower sleep and maybe less need for sleep.
White noise can help. Keep a personal fan or two running in the background. Having two fans running can mask attention-getting repeating sounds from individual fans.