Circadian Rhythm

05
Mar
2020
Sleep and Your Immune System

Sleep and Your Immune System

You need sleep to help your immune system

When everything is working correctly, and your body is in an overall healthy state, the immune system can ward off sickness. But since the immune system connects to your central nervous system, changes elsewhere in the body, such as a lack of sleep or excessive stress, can impact immune function. Lack of sleep causes degenerative effects throughout the entire body, so the immune system will not work as efficiently when you are sleep deprived, making you more susceptible to illness.

Additionally, sleep affords the immune system the chance to recoup and reevaluate how best to attack invaders. Without enough rest, it will have a difficult time developing antibodies and keeping up defenses.

Sleep Increases Immune System Response Time

Ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep can also improve the immune system’s response time.

When we cycle through all four stages of sleep, each stage performs specific functions that are important for proper health. One of those functions is the production of the protein cytokine (any of a number of substances, such as interferon, interleukin, and growth factors, which are secreted by certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells).

This helps the immune system respond to harmful pathogens. Cytokines increase cell to cell communication, enabling the immune system to direct antibodies towards specific infections.

If we don’t cycle through all four stages of sleep at least five times each night (7 to 8 hours of sleep), our cytokine production will be limited. Without this vital protein, the immune system doesn’t have what it needs to fight off viruses.

Sleep Increases T Cell Production

White Blood Cells also play a vital role in immune function. These cells help the immune system attack and destroy harmful cells. Research has shown that sleep can improve your T Cell’s ability to fight off invaders.

How to get better sleep 

  1. Ensure you have a comfortable and supportive mattress. We have a range of these at M6 Beds.
  2. Keep your bedroom dark by using blackout curtains, blinds, or eye masks.
  3. Invest in a good quality pillow.

 

Posted by m6beds in Bed Buying Tips, Choosing the right pillows, Circadian Rhythm, Circadian rhythms, comfy bed, Coronavirus, flip a mattress, Investing in a Bed, M6 Beds, Mattress Care, mattress protector, Mattress Type, Mattresses, Memory Foam Mattress, Right Pillow
05
Jan
2018
Circadian Rhythm Explained

Circadian Rhythm Explained

We might all think we are on a higher plane than other animals but we are just as much at the mercy of our environment as the next creature. Time has the most profound impact on all of us and one way time manifests itself directly on our bodies is via something called the Circadian Rhythm which is essentially our internal body clock.

The critical function of the Circadian rhythm is to tell our bodies when to rest and go to sleep and when to wake up. Each Circadian cycle lasts around 24 hours and as long as everything is working well it shouldn’t cause us any problems.

Unfortunately, in today’s world our Circadian cycles can be disrupted by anything from long haul flights to staring at mobile phone screens before bed time before bed time.

Circadian rhythms are strongly influenced by the amount of light our eyes are exposed to particularly the natural kind. This is why when it goes dark we tend to feel more tired. If the transition between day and night is disrupted in some way then this can lead to illnesses such as depression and place other stresses on our bodies and minds.

The relatively simple way to keep your body clock in good working order is to spend time out doors so that the eyes are exposed to plenty of natural light and keep regular bed times to get your body used to shutting down for sleep.

It is also worth paying attention to the environment we are sleeping in. Is your bed comfortable for example? Is the mattress suitable for your sleep position?

Posted by m6beds in Circadian Rhythm, Investing in a Bed, M6 Beds, Mattresses