Sleep’s impact on the immune system
In order to reduce your susceptibility for infections, you should make sure to have a full night’s sleep. This as research shows that the risk for a compromised immune system significantly increases if you have insufficient or poor quality sleep.
Sleep deprivation leads to cold symptoms
People who sleep too little run a significantly higher risk of catching colds and other infections as shown by an extensive study of sleep deprivation and upper respiratory infection. Several other studies focusing on the relationship between sleep and illness substantiate the conclusion that too little sleep over an extended period increases risk for infections. Especially if you sleep less than six hours. In such cases, susceptibility to a cold or infection is roughly four times higher.
Sleep influences the immune system
Sleep deprivation negatively impacts the immune system’s transference of white blood cells to the lymph flow. This leads to white blood cells not being available when and where they are needed, which allows for infection. Particularly T-cells, a type of white blood cell, function less effectively with poor sleep. Even the function of vital molecules, which signal white blood cells, are negatively impacted by sleep deprivation.
Recommended sleep duration
It is extremely important that people get their recommended amount of sleep, which in the case of adults is 7-9 hours a night. This applies not only during COVID-19 but for anyone, who wants to prevent health issues. A good way of dealing with poor sleep is by ensuring good sleep comfort. So, it can be worth investing in a really comfortable mattress/bed. The right sort of duvet and bedding also help maintain correct body temperature as well as reducing the risk for waking during the night and having a disturbed sleep cycle.
Source: Information from Sleep and Health by Aric A. Prather
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