Maximizing Sleep in Your New Home
Moving to a new home can be a big transition that complicates our routines for the days, weeks, and even months that follow. Now that you’ve moved to your retirement community home, you might notice that you’re experiencing some symptoms of the transition. Perhaps you’re noticing sleep disruptions the most, as this is one of the more common side effects of transition that we all experience.
Getting good sleep is crucial to your mental and physical health. You can use a few of our tips to ensure you’re falling asleep – and staying asleep – well in your new community.
Stay Active
Staying active is key to good sleep. Your body will likely be exhausted the first few days after your move because you’re spending hours unpacking boxes, setting up your closet organization, and finding the perfect spot for your belongings. However, after you are all settled in, you might notice that you aren’t falling asleep as easily.
The thing to try first? Staying active!
Get involved in the life of the community, attending social activities, fitness groups, and new learning courses. You’ll meet new friends and all that activity is sure to help you fall asleep at night.
Stick to a Schedule
The best plan for consistent sleep at night is to have consistent sleep and wake times. When possible, try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. It’s okay if you stay out late with a family member or wake up early to catch a sunrise yoga class every once in a while, but try to remain as consistent as possible the majority of the week.
Try Background Noise
When you move to a new home, you quickly realize that you aren’t used to the sounds, especially at night. Try sleeping with background noise via a sound machine, digital assistant, or fan. This noise can help you relax and will block out any of those new sounds that your home might have in the middle of the night that would normally wake you up.
Give Your Body and Brain Cues
In order to fall asleep, your body and brain need to wind down. Training your body and brain to slow down and prepare for sleep can be as simple as giving them cues to let them know rest is coming. Try to develop a bedtime routine with touchstone tasks that over time will cue your body and brain that sleep is coming.
Wash your face, brush your teeth, and put on your pajamas in the same order each night. Wind down by shutting off your smartphone at least 30 minutes before bed and reading a book or turning on relaxing music.
Talk to Your Doctor
Finally, if you are struggling with falling asleep or staying asleep at night, talk to your doctor about it. They might need to swap out a medication that could be making you restless or work with you to find other solutions that meet your needs and condition.