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Many older adults worry they are “bad sleepers” — but what if part of the problem is how we think about sleep itself? In this thought-provoking and practical Wellness Wednesday, sleep and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Michelle Jonelis will challenge some of the most common myths about sleep and aging, including the belief that everyone must get eight uninterrupted hours every night to be healthy.

Drawing from the latest sleep science, Dr. Jonelis will explore the difference between actual versus perceived sleep deprivation, why nighttime awakenings are often normal, and how fear and anxiety about sleep can unintentionally worsen insomnia. She will also discuss how sleep naturally changes with age, the role of stress and hyperarousal, and why many sleep medications may not be the best long-term solution. Walk away with realistic, evidence-based strategies to improve sleep naturally, including behavioral approaches, circadian rhythm optimization, light exposure, and daily habits that support healthier, more restorative rest without becoming overly focused on “perfect sleep.”

Michelle Jonelis, MD, DBSM, DipABLM, is a board-certified physician in Sleep Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine with additional certification in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Her clinical work focuses on helping patients improve sleep without medication through approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), bright light therapy, circadian rhythm optimization, and Lifestyle Medicine interventions.

Dr. Jonelis completed her medical training at the University of California, San Francisco, and Stanford University and has served as a consultant to technology companies while lecturing widely on sleep and lifestyle medicine in both academic and community settings. She is especially passionate about expanding access to evidence-based sleep care and has served on professional committees through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.