If you find it harder to sleep in your late 20s than you did in your early 20s, here’s why that is

As we all know, our body changes with age. No surprise there, huh. Unfortunately, our sleep changes as we get older, too. U.C. Berkeley researchers have published a study in Neuron that argues that our brain changes as we age, which prevents us from getting enough sleep.

According to the study, in your late 20s, the time you spend in deep sleep each night begins to decline.

By the time you turn 50, you spend half as much time in deep sleep as you did when you were 20. Yikes.

Matthew Walker, a U.C. Berkeley professor of Neuroscience and Psychology explained that, as we get older, our brains have difficulty discerning when we’re actually tired.

“It’s almost like a radio antenna that’s weak, he said. “The signal is there, but the antenna just can’t pick it up.

The news isn’t all bad, however. Now that scientists have identified the problem, they can start figuring out how to fix it.

If you have trouble sleeping, check out these HelloGiggles tips for some better shut-eye.

Strategies for getting more zzz’s include showering in the morning or early evening instead of just before bed, eating a tryptophan-filled snack like bananas, keeping your room’s temperature between 65 and 72 degrees, and using lavender essential oils.