Getting enough sleep is a big issue for a lot of people, and it only gets worse as we age.

In a study published in Neuron, a group of UC Berkeley researchers argue that certain brain mechanisms change as we age and that prevents us from getting the right amount of sleep. Essentially, as you age, your brain has more difficulty discerning when you're actually tired. The decline begins in your late 20s, and by the time you're 50, you spend half as much time in deep sleep than you did 30 years before.

"It's almost like a radio antenna that's weak," explains UC Berkeley professor of neuroscience and psychology, and the review's co-author, Matthew Walker. "The signal is there, but the antenna just can't pick it up."

But there is hope — the researchers say this information can help develop medication for the issue, as well as alternative therapies. In the meantime, try these helpful tips for a better night's sleep.

From: Cosmopolitan US