Scientists found a simple way to reduce pain and depression in the elderly

Scientists from the University of Missouri, led by Yunjin Tracy, found that maintaining a regular daily routine is associated with lower levels of physical pain and depression in older adults — regardless of how well they sleep. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine (JBM).

According to the U.S. National Council on Aging, nearly one in two people over the age of 60 experiences symptoms of insomnia. To understand how the stability of daily rhythms — sleep, eating, work, and social schedules — affects physical and psychological well-being, the researchers analyzed survey data from 67 older adults. Of these, 37 had been diagnosed with insomnia.

"Regardless of sleep quality, those who maintained a regular daily routine demonstrated lower levels of physical pain and fewer signs of depression compared to those whose daily lives lacked a clear structure," Tracy emphasized.

A consistent schedule of waking up, eating meals, working, social interactions, and going to bed helps synchronize the body's circadian rhythms. This stabilizing effect was observed regardless of how well a person slept.

Participants with insomnia generally reported more pronounced pain and depression than those who did not have sleep problems. Nevertheless, maintaining a stable routine helped mitigate these negative effects even in people with serious sleep disorders.

The authors conclude that regularity of daily activities can serve as an accessible and effective strategy for improving the physical and mental health of older adults — even in cases where addressing sleep problems directly proves unsuccessful.