As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it's important to shine a light on an often-overlooked group in these conversations: older adults. While aging brings wisdom, experience, and resilience, it can also bring unique mental health challenges, many of which go unspoken or unnoticed.

A good night’s sleep offers a lot of benefits…you awake feeling refreshed, have more energy, and enjoy increased mental clarity. However, sound sleep has far greater implications beyond feeling good the next day. According to new research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, there is increasing evidence that it may also protect against dementia. “While correlation between sleep apnea and dementia has been documented in the past, these are among the first longitudinal studies to look at the relationship between sleep disruption and the biomarkers commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.” Past research has shown that during sleep the brain clears deposits of amyloid plaque, a protein that is toxic to neurons in the brain. Sleep disruption may impede this process and contribute to memory disorders. While more research needs to be done, there is no harm in taking steps to improve your sleep habits.

Here are a few things you can do to catch some more ZZZs...

As the Harvard Business Review wrote in 2012, there is a secret phrase top innovators all over the world use to launch new products, social movements, and ideas…How might we? The article goes on to quote, Tim Brown, CEO of the design firm IDEO, explaining why: