{"id":4998,"date":"2021-03-31T19:19:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T19:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=4998"},"modified":"2024-02-13T15:05:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T15:05:58","slug":"sleep-and-immunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/sleep-and-immunity\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep and Immunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Learn<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of talk about immunity lately \u2013 and we mean a lot! Are you getting enough vitamin D? Are you too stressed? How about exercising? Does it matter? How do we achieve herd immunity? Well, the BSC has the solution, and if you are working from home, then you\u2019re likely already in your pj\u2019s and prepared for the number one way to boost your immunity. Here\u2019s a hint: It\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n

A Firm Foundation<\/span> <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sleep is not just a part of a healthy lifestyle \u2013 it\u2019s the foundation. And sleep is where we begin building a stronger immune system (let\u2019s call it preventative medicine). Better sleep is not only linked to immunity, but to lower body weight, improved mental and physical health, and a lower risk of chronic disease<\/a>. It\u2019s the perfect prescription for good health.<\/p>\n

Good for the Body. And Antibodies.<\/span> <\/strong><\/h4>\n

During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines<\/a>. Not only do they help promote sleep, but cytokines are important for controlling the growth and activity of cells in your immune system.<\/p>\n

Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you\u2019re under stress. This is because cytokines are responsible for facilitating the communication between cells in your immune system and regulating immune system responses needed to eliminate infections. Sleep deprivation may decrease production of these protective cytokines. In addition, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced during periods when you don\u2019t get enough sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you get a virus or infection, your immune system kicks into high gear,\u201d said Ellen Wermter, board-certified nurse practitioner. \u201cIf you\u2019ve had exposure to a virus before, then your immune system will recognize it quickly and will often be able to fight it off before it replicates to a high enough viral load to make you severely ill. Since COVID-19, for instance, is a novel coronavirus, our immune system is starting from scratch, so to speak. This means we need to keep it as healthy as possible so it can give us the most robust response possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Counting Sheep Isn\u2019t Cutting It<\/span> <\/strong><\/h4>\n

From working from home, to being your kid\u2019s teacher, to cooking three meals a day, we\u2019re all finding ourselves more stressed during the pandemic<\/a>. It\u2019s safe to say we need sleep now more than ever, so what helps?<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to process emotions during the day and take care of your physical and mental health,\u201d Wermter suggests. \u201cIt\u2019s normal to experience sleep deprivation right now. That\u2019s our survival instinct kicking in, trying to run every scenario to solve this problem. But don\u2019t make temporary poor sleep an additional source of anxiety. Instead, do your best to make a nightly sleep appointment for seven to eight hours of stress-reducing, immunity-boosting sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get the Sleep You Need<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Looking for more suggestions to get better sleep? Here are some ways to train your body to get restful sleep and boost your immune system:<\/p>\n