sleep

<p><strong style=font-size:1.6rem>You get better at functioning on less sleep.</strong><p>Even though you’re more tired on average, you also operate better on little to no rest than you did in college. Several studies (including this <a href=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302758/ target=_blank>2015 meta-analysis</a> that Scullin co-authored) have found that older, sleep-deprived adults perform higher on memory, attention, mood, and cognition tests than their younger counterparts. The reasons for this are unclear. Over the years, we may become more accustomed to less rest or simply require fewer hours of shut-eye to function, Scullin says.<p><em><strong>Fight it:</strong> Just because you</em>can<em>get by on less sleep in middle age doesn’t mean you should, Scullin says. Continue to aim for seven to nine hours per night, the ideal range for adults, Alger adds.<br><br><br></em><strong style=font-size:1.6rem>You get tired earlier at night.<br></strong>The rhythms of biological control panels like melatonin and cortisol (which help regulate your circadian clock) change as you age, Scullin explains, so your schedule will resemble “early to bed, early to rise” more and more with each birthday that passes.<p><em><strong>Fight it:</strong> Roll with this one, he says. If you feel sleepy at 9 p.m., don’t try to push it to 11 p.m. just to feel young. Your circadian rhythm will wake you at 5 a.m. either way, so you can either rest your body for more time, or less. All the science points to embracing those two extra hours.</em><div class=editor-intro><div class=intro-left><div class=article-link><a href=/articles/2018/04/blair-underwood-editor-letter>LETTER FROM THE EDITOR<span>read more</span></a></div><div class=article-link><a href=/articles/2018/04/blair-underwood-shoe-arsenal>MY SHOE ARSENAL <span>read more</span></a></div><div class=article-link><a href=/articles/2018/04/moderation>WHAT DOES MODERATION REALLY MEAN <span>read more</span></a></div><div class=article-link><a href=/articles/2018/05/blair-underwood-fitness-principles>HOW TO MAINTAIN FITNESS LONG TERM <span>read more</span></a></div></div><div class=intro-right><em>For our first guest editorship, Furthermore selected a partner who epitomizes the high-performance lifestyle. Blair Underwood stars in Quantico (season three premiered on April 26) and just launched a new shoe line, <a href=http://www.rightbankshoeco.com/ target=_blank>Right Bank Shoe Co. for Blair Underwood</a>. He does it all—and maintains his notorious youthfulness—by eating well, staying physical, and staying emotional. He’s curated a series of articles for Furthermore (at left) that highlight his passion for balance and motion.</em></div></div>

How sleep changes as you age

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