Sleep is the Best Medicine

Getting sick at any time of the year is unpleasant, let alone getting sick as temperatures are heating up for summer. There’s nothing worse than being cooped up inside with a runny nose while everyone else is out enjoying the sun!

But did you know that the common cold & flu can be caused by insufficient sleep?

According to Nathaniel Watson, neurologist and sleep specialist at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, sleeping poorly can block genetic processes in the cells that make up your immune system, which is responsible for fighting off infection. When you are sleep deprived, your immune system will not function the way it should, increasing your risk of picking up a cold, disease or infection.

Watson’s research suggests that just one hour of lost sleep can cause cellular damage. Imagine the damage when you lose 3+ hours of sleep per night!

You may be thinking of catching up on lost sleep on weekends; however at this stage the damage has already been done and we run into the risk of “sleep debt” – an ongoing cycle which can cause fatigue, irritability and illness.

Watson’s study emphasises the fact that sleep is a vital part of our health and wellbeing. While each person’s sleep needs are different, the average adult should be getting somewhere between 7-9 hours of sleep every evening. Of course the occasional late night out is not going to cause any permanent damage, but it is important to establish a sleep routine; to nurture our sleeping selves as much as we do when we are awake.

At Sleepy’s, we believe that a healthy night’s sleep is the best medicine. If you are suffering from sleeplessness or are waking up with aches and pains, it might be time to think about a new mattress. The friendly team at Sleepy’s will be happy to match you to a mattress that best suits your needs and preferences, for superior rest and recovery each evening.

For more benefits of sleeping, check out our 18 reasons why blog.

Stay Healthy this Spring!

Sleepy’s. Be your Amazing.