MSNBC: Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, writes about how lifestyle factors, including sleep hygiene, can contribute to a healthier immune system.
It’s clear that sleep problems can reduce your immune response, whether it’s not enough or of poor quality. Studies show that a restful sleep boosts the release of inflammation-fighting chemicals to help fight infections. And poor sleep can make you more vulnerable to getting sick, or can result in it taking a longer time to recover. Sleep is also necessary to the normal functioning of your circadian rhythms—the normal ups and downs of body hormones that support normal daily function.
