Proper Sleep = Stronger Immune System
Author: Dial•a•Bed | April 2020
Now, more than ever, we need to actively and responsibly manage our health by boosting our immune systems. Proper sleep should be your top priority. Why? When we get the benefits of a full night’s sleep, that’s when our bodies revive and restore, mentally and physically. Our immune system remains stronger.
Dial•a•Bed, in collaboration with UCT sleep scientist Dr Dale Rae, brings you the critical insights into how you can best improve your sleep and help to maintain a healthy immune system. It’s a practical guide on how you should, and can, Sleep For Life.
Why is sleep so critical to your immune system?
Proper sleep is when you fulfil the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise. “Contrary to how we
think about our snooze time,” remarks Dr Rae, “sleep is actually an activity. This is when our
body processes and recharges. So do our brains.” During sleep, the immune system releases
proteins called cytokines. These help to fight infection. Interrupted sleep, or sleep deprivation,
reduces your immunity. During the daytime is when you are most likely to be exposed to bugs and viruses. Loss of sleep during the night can mean your immune system won’t have the proper repair time to resist infection effectively.
What is the best sleep for a healthy immune system?
Sleep differs for everyone. We all have our own sleep need and a natural body clock that tells us when we should sleep. You may prefer to sleep and wake up later. Or perhaps you go to bed and get up earlier. Then there’s how much sleep you need personally. It may be for 8 hours. You could be fine with 6 hours of sleep a night. “What is vital to your immune system is not just when, or how long, you sleep,” Dr Rae observes, “but the quality of your sleep.”
What is good, immunity building sleep?
A decent night’s sleep happens in stages. It starts with nodding off into light non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. As consciousness relaxes, your sleep deepens through two more non-REM stages. Finally, at the third and bottom level, you are in a deep, slow-wave sleep, where the important restoring of the body takes place. This is likely when we think your immune system goes to work. It also processes a glymphatic function, where waste and toxins are removed from the brain. Energy levels are restored. During sleep, brain connectivity archives the things you want to memorise.
With the right amount of deep sleep, your immune system is ready to fight another day. You will feel the difference. Downtime is less likely. You can’t be immune to a heavy schedule, but you will certainly manage it better.
A healthy immune system starts with the perfect bed
At Dial•a•Bed you will find the widest range of brands and mattress specs to support your
perfect night’s sleep. If it’s the quality of your sleep that matters most, you want a quality bed.
Don’t compromise. Sleep for a healthier immune system. Sleep for life.
Shop responsibly.
Your health comes first. Following current national health directives, Dial•a•Bed has
undertaken strict environmental controls to ensure safe store visits. Of course, you may prefer
to shop online at Dial•a•Bed. All product handling and deliveries are also carefully
monitored to provide a responsibly sanitized service.