If you're not aware, having less sleep can affect your immune system. Vacaville chiropractors know people who don't get enough sleep are more prone to sickness after being exposed to a virus like the common cold virus. It will also affect how fast you can recover from the sickness.

When you sleep, your immune system releases a type of protein known as cytokines, which can help promote sleep. There are cytokines that your body requires when it suffers from an inflammation or infection, or when it's simply under stress. Being sleep-deprived will reduce the production of these protective cytokines. Also, infection-fighting antibodies and cells aren't produced enough when you lack sleep.

In short, your body requires sleep to fight against these infectious diseases. If you've been sleep-deprived for a long time, you are also at risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart and blood vessel disease.

So, how much sleep do you require to boost your immune system? For adults, they require 7 to 8 hours of good sleep every night. Teenagers should have 9 to 10 hours of sleep while school-aged children need 10 or more hours.

However, having more sleep isn't always a good idea. Adults who are sleeping for more than 10 hours each night will result in a poor quality of sleep, such as difficulty in falling or staying asleep.

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Lack of sleep and vaccines in Vacaville

People who lack sleep get less protection from flu vaccines compared to those who get an adequate amount of it. When we're sleep-deprived, our immune response is suppressed which means that fewer antibodies are developed against certain vaccines. It will take some time before our body responds to immunizations. So if you're exposed to a flu virus, you're more likely to get sick even when vaccinated.

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Stock-up on naps

During the influenza season, t's important that you keep your body healthy and one way of doing that is to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. This will help your immune system remain in fighting shape, and even protect you from other health issues like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. If your sleep is interrupted due to a busy workweek or other factors, you can make up for it by taking naps. Having 2 naps that are no longer than 30 minutes each is helpful in decreasing stress and in taking away the negative effects that a lack of sleep has on the immune system. If you can't have your half-hour nap during your work hours, then make up for it by doing a 20-minute siesta during lunchtime, and probably another one before dinner.

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Other healthy tactics

Apart from getting an ample amount of sleep, there are also other ways that could help boost your immunity and guard your body against certain illnesses. You should also continue practicing smart stay-healthy strategies like regularly washing your hands with soap, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and getting an annual flu shot from your doctor. Keep in mind that if you've ever contracted the seasonal sniffles, your body will recover faster if it's well-rested.