Sleep Archive

Older men can get "flat" or weak buttocks from spending too much time sitting, which can weaken gluteal muscles and create tight hip flexors. This weakness can place excess demand on other parts of the body, which can lead to pain in the lower back, hips, and knees and increase risk for lower-body injuries. The best way to strengthen a weak backside is to break up prolonged periods of sitting with regular movement and perform exercises that build up gluteal muscles, such as deadlifts, bridges, and step-ups.

Approximately 50 million adults experience some daily pain. These people usually encounter fluctuations in pain during the day, but in many cases, the pain worsens at night, disrupting sleep. Many strategies can be adopted to prevent and manage nighttime pain, such as doing a pre-bedroom relaxation routine, creating a healthy sleep environment, reframing negative thinking, changing sleeping positions, and using supportive pillows.

A small 2025 study found that older adults who did six months of weight training improved their ability to recall recent events and information. They also had had less brain shrinkage in regions affected by Alzheimer's disease, compared with people who did not do the training.

High blood pressure means that blood pushes against artery walls more forcefully than normal. Women's blood pressure is typically lower than men's until around age 60. An estimated 41% of women develop high blood pressure after menopause. High blood pressure increases people's risks of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other problems. Factors that increase women's risk of high blood pressure at midlife include menopause, elevated sympathetic nerve activity, weight gain and redistribution, stress, and genetics.

Wildfire smoke contributes greatly to poor air quality, and as wildfires become more frequent due to climate change and drier conditions, more of us and more of our communities are at risk for health harms. Here are ways to cope.

The purported health benefits of cold plunges include less stress, better sleep, and enhanced immunity, but the evidence is thin. While the practice may ease muscle soreness after intense exercise, it may have detrimental effects on gains in muscle power and strength. Because the shock of cold water on the skin can raise heart rate and blood pressure, people with cardiovascular disease (especially heart rhythm abnormalities) should avoid the practice.

A 2025 review of 10 randomized controlled trials (involving about 300 people) found that those who took part in two or three one-hour water aerobics classes weekly for at least 10 weeks lost up to 6 pounds and trimmed their waists by about an inch.

When blood pressure remains high despite treatment, making certain lifestyle changes can help. Examples include reducing dietary sodium and increasing dietary potassium, losing weight, limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day, exercising (doing aerobics and strength training), using tools that improve medication adherence (such as an automatic pill dispenser, a medication diary, a smartphone alarm, or a reminder app), quitting smoking, getting more sleep, managing stress, and reducing caffeine intake.

If possible, everyone should prepare for the possibility of needing support services or long-term care in older age, even if it's not yet needed. Ways to prepare include designating a health care proxy and power of attorney; writing advance directives for health care preferences; investigating potential housing options (such as assisted living facilities) and support services (such as a health aide) well in advance; downsizing belongings, including one's home; and meeting with a financial planner to figure out how to tackle caregiving expenses.