While the world is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, health experts are suggesting everyone boost their immune system at home. Many people are doing everything – from exercising to eating right – to improve their immunity. But do you know that sleep is also a natural immune booster?
But before we jump to the topic, let’s find out what this virus is and how it impacts our immune system.
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease (also known as COVID-19) is a contagious disease that’s caused by a novel coronavirus. Some people who are affected by COVID-19 are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms and recovering themselves without any special treatment. However, others might need to undergo proper treatment to fight coronavirus.
This virus is transmitted from droplets of an infected person, when he/she sneezes, exhales or coughs. These droplets fall on the surfaces and if a non-infected person comes in contact with the fallen droplets by touching affected surfaces like an elevator, bus doors, public toilets, doors, etc, they may even catch the virus.
Since there’s no vaccine available for this novel virus yet, it’s best to boost the immune system to help your body fight this infectious disease.
How Sleep Affects Your Immune System
Sleep is important for the immune system to work efficiently. Just suppose your immune system is like your body’s football coach and you sleep at the halftime break.
Just like coaches make certain adjustments at halftime, after figuring out the strategies of opponents, sleep also does the same for your immune system. Your immune system during sleep recovers while assessing any threats.
If you get a proper night’s sleep, your immune system can deliberately combat antigens while directing body cells for a counterattack. Without proper sleep, your body will have a hard time fighting back against any type of virus, bacteria or illness.
Besides, you can look for high-quality Springwel mattresses online to stay away from pathogens. Springwel mattresses are designed to keep away microbes, dust mites and other pollutants/irritants.
These mattresses also ensure that dust does not settle on the surface. This way it protects your skin and lungs from the harmful effects of dust mites and allergens on your respiratory system. If you have a weak immune system and you easily catch a cold, a hypoallergenic mattress is a good option for you.
Ways to improve night’s sleep
Here are some simple ways to improve your sleep at night:
Follow a fixed bedtime routine
Before going to bed, you may take a warm shower, drink milk or read a book in a quiet place. Always go to sleep at the same time every night to ensure your body gets proper sleep without disturbing the sleep cycle.
Avoid using electronics on the bed
You might be tempted to check news about COVID-19 on your Smartphone before going to bed but it could increase anxiety and hamper your night’s sleep. To avoid that, always make your bedroom an electronic-free zone.
Ensure your bedroom is quiet, cool and dark
You may use an eye mask when trying to sleep for the complete blackout. Also, make sure that your room is noise-free and cool for a restful night’s sleep.
Avoid caffeinated beverages before bedtime
Stay away from drinks and food that may adversely impact your sleep. Avoid deep-fried, spicy or acidic food items at night, or you’ll end up tossing and turning throughout the night. Also, avoid caffeinated beverages and carbonated drinks that might disturb your sleep. Some people may think that alcohol makes them fall asleep. But it dehydrates the body and wakes you up in the middle of the night. So, also stay away from alcoholic drinks.
Regular exercises
Even when we all are practising social distancing, it’s important to go outside in the morning or evening for regulating your circadian system, which is your body’s timekeeper for the sleep and wake cycle. Exercises in the morning keep you fit and also boost the immune system while making you fall asleep faster than usual every night.
Meditate
Daily meditation is also very important to calm down anxiety while restoring a sense of peace. Meditating before bedtime is also beneficial for improving your sleep cycle.
Conclusion
If your sleep is improved, you’ll be surprised by how energetic you feel every day. Meanwhile, your immune system will boost and get ready to combat COVID-19. Moreover, better sleep habits help you enjoy a healthy and long life. So, work on the given measures to help you sleep better each night.
