Lack of sleep could increase common cold risk, study finds

New research published in the journal SLEEP suggests that a good night’s sleep, while not likely the cure for the common cold, might just help you avoid one.

Researchers evaluated the sleep habits of 164 people, then exposed them to the bug that causes colds. Those who got less than six hours of sleep a night were more likely to get sick.

The reason is simple: sleep helps build up our immune system, allowing us to fight off those pesky bugs.

So, now that you know that, what can you do about it?

There are a million articles with tips for a better night’s sleep. You can try exercise, which increases production of sleep hormones like melatonin. Experts also suggest you get yourself into a bedtime routine. It works for our kids, why not us?

Find habits you engage in within a half hour of going to bed, it can help your body understand when it’s time to shut down and go to sleep. And advice that’s hard for many of us to follow: don’t turn your bed into an office. Burying your face in smartphones, tablets and laptops right up until bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep. The light emitted from these devices can interrupt your body’s sleep cycle. And, reading work emails before bed can dial up the stress and make it hard to shut off your brain and rest.

Agencies/Canadajournal