Good Sleep Hygiene May Help Protect Against Infectious Diseases
Public health concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in local communities is causing anxiety on a global scale. It may even be affecting your sleep at night. Anxiety is a leading cause of sleep dysfunction,1 and not getting enough rest may have negative effects on your health. Sleep plays a powerful role in supporting healthy immune system function; in fact, these two things are closely connected.2,3,4 A lack of sleep can increase the likelihood of infection.5,6 Illness can disrupt your sleep further,7,8 which in turn slows down your recovery time. Consistent sleep better prepares your body to fight off unexpected illness,9 and getting enough of it supports your overall health and well-being.
Sleep and Immune Function
Sleep is your body’s first line of defense against infectious disease. During sleep, your body produces proteins called cytokines that fight inflammation and infection.10 When you are exposed to infectious pathogens, have inflammation, or experience chronic stress, your body increases production of these cytokines to offset illness. Sleep deprivation hinders this immune response, for instance, by increasing the risk of catching the common cold,11 so not getting enough sleep impacts your body’s ability to naturally fight off infections.
This article was published on The Institute for Functional Medicine website. https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/good-sleep-hygiene-may-help-protect-infectious-diseases/
COVID-19 articles sourced from various authors.
