A lack of sleep is known to weigh down your immune system and make you more likely to fall ill after being exposed to a virus. So, quality sleep can help you fight coronavirus such as Illness.
Sleep deprivation is so common worldwide that it’s often shrugged off, making people “comfortable” with functioning on minimal sleep. According to the South African Society of Sleep Medicine, about 0 to 40% of South African adults have insomnia. A News24 article mentions that there is no magic amount of sleep and that different sleep needs depend on various factors, such as your age and your own personal basal need for sleep. However, on average, seven to eight hours is recommended to ensure your immune system can fight with coronavirus.
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Sufficient Sleep can Boost your Immune System.
Sleep is critical to the immune system. Getting less than the recommended amount is not just detrimental to your physical health but your mental health too. Sufficient sleep has been shown to boost the immune system, reducing our chances of developing chronic illness.
A Healthy Immune System Can Fight Coronavirus
Studies have shown that our immune systems are severely compromised when we are completely deprived of sleep, as reported in a 2017 study.
Another study monitored participants’ sleep patterns and found that those recorded as having less than five hours’ sleep per night had 4.5 times the risk of catching a cold, compared with those sleeping more than seven hours a night, according to the National Health Service (NHS).
Similarly, a University of California study also found that people who sleep six hours a night or less are four times more likely to catch a cold when exposed to the virus than those who manage more than seven hours a night.
Australian sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo told news.com.au that adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night to battle the coronavirus.
“Evidence shows that lack of sleep impairs immunity: Studies show a 70% reduction in natural immune cells after only four to five hours of sleep,” she told the publication.
“As a result, you aren’t able to fight off contagious viruses, such as coronavirus, as effectively. Fortunately, this reduction is amended as soon as you have sufficient sleep (seven to nine hours).”
The bottom line is that good, quality sleep is a natural immune booster and that focusing on your sleep habits is one of the best ways to strengthen your immune system and fight infection.
Slowing Down
Feel like your health is deteriorating and your body is crashing? You might be losing at the sleep game and need to improve your sleep patterns. Here are some tips to sleep better at night:
- Stick to a regular bedtime as much as you can.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and eating a few hours before bed.
- An aesthetically pleasing bedroom, i.e., without clutter, will help create a more soothing environment and help you fall asleep faster.
- Limit your phone interaction time – bright light, particularly blue light from electronics and LED bulbs, can disrupt your sleep.
- Apart from sleep, stress, diet, and exercise, basic hygiene is also crucial for ensuring a healthy immune system. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests the following tips to protect yourself against the Covid-19 virus:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap.
- Maintain a social distance of at least one meter between yourself and someone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when sneezing.
- If you display symptoms of the Covid-19 virus, seek medical help.
Conclusion
Compiled by Zakiyah Ebrahim, 18 MARCH 2020 A lack of sleep is known to weigh down your immune system and make you more likely to fall ill after being exposed to a virus. So, it is time to fight with coronavirus.
