Sleep has long been thought to have a connection to the immune system. According to research, a lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, making it less able to protect the body against invading pathogens, including the common cold. Trying to get by on small amounts of sleep or having interrupted sleep, such as tossing and turning or waking during the night, leaves your body unable to do its necessary repair work.1
Studies Show a Strong Link Between Sleep and Immune-System Strength
Studies have long examined the connection between sleep and the immune system. A 2009 study investigating the connection between sleep habits and susceptibility to the common cold found that those who get less than seven hours of sleep per night are nearly three times more likely to catch a cold than those with more than eight hours of sleep. In addition, this study found that sleeping more than eight hours per night is associated with improved health. The study also found that quality of sleep is just as important as quantity. Those with below-normal sleep efficiency (tossing and turning during the night or lying awake, not sleeping) are 5.5 times more likely to catch a cold than those who sleep soundly.2
1 Duda, K, Improve Your Health with More Sleep, About.com, 19 April 2009.http://coldflu.about.com/od/faqaboutthecold/qt/sleepandhealth.htm
2 Cohen, S., Doyle, W., Cuneyt, A., Janicki-Deverts, D., Turner, R., Sleep Habits and Susceptibility to the Common Cold. Arch Intern Med. 2009; 169(1): 62-67.
