Reader's Corner
| For Patients |
| Sleep Well Source: "Health and Nutrition" |
What’s keeping you up? New research points to some surprising culprits, starting with the fact that you’re a woman. Here’s how to get the rest you need.
If you’re tired when you wake up in the morning, you’re not getting enough quality sleep or maybe enough quality sleep or maybe not enough sleep, period. Either way, your immunity is probably compromised. Most people need between 6 and 8 hours a night, though individual needs vary. But consider the quality of your sack time too. Poor sleep is associated with lower immune system function and number of killer cells. Killer cells are the part of the immune system that combats viruses or cells that divide too rapidly, as they do in cancer. Lower their numbers, and you may be at greater risk for illness. Although no single prescription guarantee sweet sleep, lowering stress levels will enhance snoozing. Yoga, exercise, or talking to a friend may all help lower stress. Also, watch out for the sleep robbers such as eating, drinking alcohol, smoking, or exercising right before bedtime |
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