For those of us getting up in the years and having trouble sleeping, a new paper published in the journal Sleep has determined that maintaining daily routines was associated with greater ease in falling asleep as well as better quality of sleep in the elderly.

The data revealed that the greater the degree of stability in a person’s daily routine, the more often it led to a better overall sleeping experience. The routines that had the most pronounced benefits included such activities as bathing, getting dressed, and the timing of meals. These were referred to as basic activities, and differed from instrumental activities like shopping, using public transportation, and going to the doctor’s office. These daily, and sometimes even weekly, routines have certain rhythms associated with them that contribute to regularity in one’s lifestyle.

In the study in question, scientists predicted some degree of influence between sleep and daily activities, but were surprised by the degree to which the two affect one another. This is especially true in light of the conventional wisdom that exposure to light is considered the most important factor in predicting quality of sleep.

To arrive at their findings, doctors followed nearly 100 adults with a mean age of 75 years. The group was mostly female (72%) and in fair to good health. The subjects lived in two retirement communities where their daily activities as well as their sleep patterns could be observed and measured. Interviews were conducted three times at two-week intervals.

What they found was that when older adults engaged in daily routines with greater stability and regularity, sleep quality (as measured by sleep efficiency) was greater and the time it took to fall asleep (as measured by sleep latency) was shorter. The end result was that they got a better night’s sleep, as opposed to individuals with less stability in their daily routines.

It is commonly observed that sleep quality declines with age. This phenomenon is thought to be rooted in the changes that occur in a person’s circadian rhythms over time. Because of this, researchers believe that maintaining daily routines might be a safe, simple, and cost-effective way to help the elderly improve their quality of sleep. However, the authors of the study acknowledge that, before they can draw any definitive conclusion, more work needs to be done, especially with cultural and lifestyle differences are taken into account.

The findings also add to the growing body of evidence that points to the importance of sleep, which unfortunately often suffers as a result of the pace of the modern world. With this in mind, sleep should be viewed as an essential component of our health — and for that matter, survival — much like a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Good mental, physical and emotional health are in fact dependent on getting enough sleep.

So take the time to get enough sleep. Your life may depend on it. If you are having trouble sleeping, consult your physician. There are a number of way to address the problem. For more information about sleep problems, visit the website for the National Sleep Foundation.