While we still need the same amount of sleep as we did as younger adults, one thing is for sure: not many of us are getting it. But why?

We lose the ability to sleep deeply as we age

You’re not just imagining it – you really aren’t sleeping as deeply as you did when you were a teenager. “Physiologically, our sleep architecture – the different stages of sleep – changes as we age,” explains clinical psychologist Dr Patapia Tzotzoli. “We spend less time in deep sleep and more time sleeping lightly, which means we’re more likely to wake up in the middle of the night.”

Crucially, it’s this deep sleep phase that is the most restorative, so getting less of it inevitably leads to feeling fatigued.

Our physical needs can hinder sleep

In addition to being less prone to sleeping deeply, our physical needs can get in the way of a decent kip as we age. We’re not just talking about needing to wee more frequently (there are few things in life quite as pointless as trying to sleep with a full bladder), but issues such as sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome and other aches and pains can start to impact our sleep.

Our sleep really gets worse as we age – here's how to improve it, according to the experts