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