Stressing about not getting the seven to nine hours of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation? There’s no need to worry as long as you’re not tossing and turning all night. Sleep quality is more important than how long you sleep as far as staying healthy goes, according to new research.
A new study from the U.K. finds people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are nearly three times as likely to get sick with colds, flu and other illnesses. But - and this is the important part - the study also shows that good quality sleep, which includes falling asleep quickly and not being restless during the night, can basically make up for sleeping less than the recommended amount when it comes to boosting the immune system to help fight infections.
Study author Neil Walsh, a professor from Liverpool John Moores University, says sleep is important for both physical and mental health, including our ability to fight infection. “There are two very key messages here: firstly, that restricted sleep patterns can result in more frequent illness,” he explains. “Secondly, and more surprisingly, that sleeping well can trump sleeping long in terms of our immunity to illness.” He says the study’s findings should “change the way we think about sleep and health.”
Source: NY Post