You know the importance of getting a good night’s sleep… especially as you age.

But for millions of Americans, getting quality shut-eye is a nightly struggle.

In fact, nearly 70 MILLION Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems.

But there’s one sleep disorder in particular that plagues millions of people each night… and it goes WAY beyond tossing and turning.

In fact, if left untreated it can lead to some serious MEMORY problems down the road!

But there are simple steps you can take now to help improve your sleep AND save your brain.

Insomnia Linked to Cognitive Decline

Researchers from the University of Helsinki (Finland) recently discovered that long-term insomnia during mid-life can lead to cognitive decline.

Studies have found that insomnia can affect nearly 50% of the population and is characterized by symptoms like:

• Difficulty falling asleep,
• Waking up in the middle of the night,
• Inability to fall back asleep once awake, and
• Fatigue the following day

The study concluded that the longer you struggle with insomnia in mid-life, the more learning ability and concentration problems you could face during old age.

But here’s the good news…

The study leaders also found that when insomnia symptoms ease up and become less prevalent, the more likely you will have good brain health later on in life.

In other words, if you suffer from insomnia, taking proactive steps to help eliminate the symptoms NOW can help protect your brain.

So, what’s the answer?

Over-the-counter sleeping pills? Fancy pillows? An expensive mattress?

Nope!

My go-to for getting my body (and mind) ready for a quality night’s sleep is melatonin.

Melatonin is a hormone your body produces naturally, which signals your brain that it’s time to sleep. Melatonin supplements have become a popular sleeping aid, particularly in instances where the melatonin cycle is disrupted.

If taken 30 minutes before going to bed, melatonin supplements can help reduce the time you need to fall asleep and INCREASE your total amount of quality sleep time.

You can find melatonin at your local pharmacy or vitamin aisle of your grocery store. Look for the variety that dissolves under your tongue (it tends to work the fastest). Speak with your doctor about the right dosage for you.