A Simple Way To Improve Sleep If You're Over 65, According To Research

This study focused on people 65-plus living in residential aged care facilities who reported poor sleep quality. Half of the group followed a 12-minute acupressure routine three times a week for a month, while the other group just continued with their normal care. Participants' self-reported sleep quality was measured before the study, right after the study, and two weeks after the study wrapped up.

Acupressure involves applying light pressure to certain points on the body. Hailing from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the practice is meant to help vital energy (known as chi) move through the body, as well as release muscle tension and promote healthy circulation. In TCM, acupoints along the heart, lungs, and kidneys are all thought to correspond to our ability to sleep, so these are the points where researchers focused their attention (HT7, PC6, and SP6).

Sure enough, the results2 show that those who received acupressure reported better overall sleep quality and less anxiousness than those who just had their normal care. This study is the latest to scientifically validate the simple but effective modality that dates back all the way to 2000 B.C.

Unlike acupuncture, acupressure is something that anyone can practice themselves at any time, no special equipment required—and no matter their age. And whether it's sleep, digestion, immune function, or mood you're looking to support, there's a routine out there for you.

Over the years, quality of sleep can decline thanks to hormonal changes, shifting schedules, and new stressors. In addition to applying some strategic pressure, other habits that can keep you snoozing as you get older include sticking to a consistent sleep-wake schedule, getting plenty of exercise (physical and mental) during the day, and releasing worries at night through practices like journaling or meditating.