What Kind of Drinks Will Help an Older Person Sleep at Bedtime?
Older adults may have more difficulty sleeping for a number of reasons including a sedentary lifestyle, lower melatonin levels, prescription drugs that make sleeping difficult, or physical ailments. If you don't want to take sleep medication or your doctor recommends that you don't, try drinking something to help you sleep.
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Warm Milk
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Warm milk is a traditional remedy for sleep for people of all ages and can help the elderly sleep as well. Pour a small glass and heat it up slowly, being careful to not allow the milk to boil, which can burn or scald it.
Glass of Wine
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One glass of wine can often help an older person get to sleep, because a small amount of alcohol will relax a person's brain and muscles. Avoid having more than one glass, as this can actually hamper your ability to fall asleep.
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Chamomile Tea
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Chamomile tea is an herbal tea made from the chamomile plant and widely available in the tea section of grocery stores. Chamomile tea has long been a widely accepted bedtime tea for its ability to make someone sleepy.
Hot Toddy
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A hot toddy made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, whiskey (or other liquor of your choice), honey and decaffeinated tea can help induce sleep. Be sure to use decaffeinated tea and only a small amount of brandy, as too much alcohol can have the opposite effect.
Iced Herbal Tea
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If hot weather is contributing to difficulty sleeping, try drinking chamomile or another herbal tea in an iced form. This will still give you the sleepiness you seek, while not aggravating the heat.
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