Half of adults older than 55 have trouble getting to or staying asleep. Researchers were surprised to discover the best way for them to get some much needed shut-eye.
In a randomized clinical trial of 49 older adults, seniors got more relief from a mindfulness meditation program than a sleep hygiene education program that teaches sleep improvement skills.
The findings suggest that focusing attention and awareness on the present moment without judgment or reacting to thoughts—as taught through mindfulness meditation—has positive effects not just on sleep but on daytime fatigue and depression, two conditions that often result from poor sleep.
