Sleep and the immune system are deeply connected, and the quality and quantity of sleep has a direct effect on your immune system. Your immune system works at its best when you receive the necessary quantity and quality of sleep, which is usually around 7 to 8 hours per day.
T-cells, sleep and the immune system
One of the important cells that make up our immune system is T-cells. If you’re trying to remember where you’ve heard about this cell earlier, this is a cell that fights against HIV. However, this T-cell is more than HIV infection; it has a role to play in protecting our body against many forms of viral infections.
These T-cells work by activating a special element in our body called integrins. The activation of these integrins is highly essential for killing viruses and even cancer cells. Many studies show that healthy sleep of at least 7 hours has a prominent role in increasing the activation of integrins of T-cells.
Stress, sleep and the immune system
Sleeplessness is associated with stress and this can be translated as a high amount of cortisol, which is a ‘stress’ hormone. Cortisol and other substances as if prostaglandins that are secreted as a result of stress can decrease the activation of integrins and thereby, decrease the effectiveness and functions of T-cells. This shows that importance of sleep to live a healthy life.
Several scientific studies show that healthy sleep is essential for the production of specialised immune substances called cytokines. These cytokines are highly essential to activate inflammatory reaction whenever any foreign particles or microbes enter our body. Sleeplessness or insomnia deprives our immune system of the production of these important immune molecules and thus, decreases the strength of our immune system. These studies and scientific facts not only show the link between sleep and the immune system but also encourage us to give importance to sleep.
Is your mattress contributing to sleeplessness?
The quality and quantity of sleep also depend on various factors. Among them the environmental factors such as the amount of light in the room, noise in the environment and the sleeping conditions are vital. One of the important factors for healthy sleep is the quality and the form of mattress that we use. Mattresses that absorb heat too much or the ones that are too soft to maintain the correct posture can disturb your sleep. Choose your mattress wisely as your sleeping posture and overall comfort will also impact your sleep.
A mattress is a long-term investment, both in terms of the money you spend and the impact it has on your daily well-being. Considering you spend a lot of time on your mattress throughout your life, this is an important decision and one you should consider carefully. Every person is different, with different sleeping habits, different physiques, and different preferences, so make sure you research and test various mattress options to ensure you invest correctly.