exercise for a good nights sleep.

Sleep problems often go untreated. People attribute insomnia to stress, a hectic pace of life or to getting older. In fact, sleeping problems have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., with about one-third of the adult population reporting problems sleeping within the past year.
While a few nights of lost sleep may hardly be noticed, cumulative sleep loss has debilitating and even fatal effects. Poor judgment and other declines in cognitive performance lead to increased risk of accident and injury. Quality of life decreases dramatically if fatigue dominates the day. When short on sleep, people tend to overeat and under-exercise. (I'm too tired to go for a walk! I think I'll watch television and eat some chips instead.)

How much sleep do I need?

Sleep requirements vary from person to person, but experts believe most people need from seven to nine hours a night. You may need more sleep if you are under extra stress or getting sick. You know you are getting enough sleep if you wake up in the morning before the alarm goes off, feel refreshed and rested, and if you are alert throughout the day.

Do older people need less sleep?

While older people don't necessarily need less sleep, sleep patterns do sometimes change with age. Older people tend to sleep less in one stretch, get less of the deeper stages of sleep and awaken more easily. The same factors, such as exercise, that improve sleep quality for younger adults help older adults sleep better as well.