हिंदी
Importance of a good night’s sleep is a lot more than you can imagine! A routine sleep can help you against obesity, depression, anxiety and even the current sensation, Corona Virus.
We have been hearing about the importance of a good sleep since we were kids. But in this new era of endless work pressure, web series, video games, etc. we have learnt to neglect it. You can agree on the fact that this has led to a lot of health problems.
So can sleeping for 7-8 hours daily save you from regular ailments and boost your immunity? However, the question of critical importance at the moment is, can it help protect you from Corona Virus? There have been a lot of studies regarding the relationship between sleep and immunity. Let’s find out the relationship between sleep and corona virus.
As per many doctors, sleep is a biological necessity for the body rather than a luxury. Sleep recharges the body, repairs damaged tissues and carries out vital functioning of the body. Sleep exerts a strong influence on immune functions. Investigations of the normal sleep-wake cycle showed that immune parameters like numbers of undifferentiated T-cells (like body’s soldiers) and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (like body’s weapons) exhibit peaks during sleep. So inadequate sleep works against body’s defences and increases the risk of severe disease. Also, Covid-19 can cause poor sleep due to the symptoms, stress, anxiety and again compromise our immunity.
Sleeping for at least 7-8 hours helps in boosting our immunity. This is something that should not be compromised at any cost. At the same time it is important to note that sleeping in excess is also not recommended. Oversleeping can lead to diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, headaches, backaches to name a few.
It can be said without doubt that sleeping less can lower your immunity and in case you contract Covid-19, then chances of having the severe form are higher. Lack of sleep can also lead to one being lethargic, preventing him/her from following all the necessary precautions and may commit mistakes by not wearing the mask properly or even washing hands thoroughly, etc; thus leading to higher risk. At the same time, sleeping more than required too makes you lethargic and decreases the metabolism. This can result in the accumulation of toxins in the body, making it prone to diseases.
Listing the importance of sleep it is noteworthy to mention that contracting corona virus mainly depends on exposure from an infected individual who sheds it in respiratory secretions which get thrown out during talking, coughing, sneezing, etc. Therefore the importance of masks cannot be stressed enough. Immunity is strengthened by healthy lifestyle practices like consuming a healthy diet, regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and of course good sleep.
