Sleep – the best medicine you can get to fight infections

Seriously, who doesn’t love sleep? Sleep is the best thing ever! And for those of us who love sleeping there is now even more good news.

Researchers in Germany have discovered that sleep is not only relaxing but is also sometimes the best medicine you can get. The German researchers have found sleep can help your body’s immune system fight infection.

The research has proven that your brain lowers the levels of specific group of chemicals, including adrenaline, which allows your white blood cells (T cells) to work on fighting infections.

The study, led by Stoyan Dimitrov and Luciana Besedovsky at the University of Tübingen, helps explain how sleep can fight off an infection, whereas other conditions, such as chronic stress, can make the body more susceptible to illness.

“Our findings show that sleep has the potential to enhance the efficiency of T cell responses, which is especially relevant in light of the high prevalence of sleep disorders and conditions characterized by impaired sleep, such as depression, chronic stress, aging, and shift work,” says Luciana Besedovsky.

So, just think about this, the next time you go to sleep and your head hits the pillow you’re doing your body a great favour.