Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
We all know the telltale signs of when we’re getting sick. A scratchy throat. A pounding headache. A dull throb in your sinuses. A nose that won’t stop running. And of course, the overwhelming sense of fatigue we start to feel throughout every muscle in our bodies.
Feeling exhausted is one of the most obvious signs that you’re coming down with something, and you shouldn’t ignore it.
Sleep is absolutely critical when you’re sick, whether you have the flu, strep throat, a short lived bug, or even the common cold. And yet, many of us don’t give our bodies the break it needs, and the rest we need to recover.
But how much sleep do we really need when we’re sick?
When you’re coming down with something, the normal seven to eight hours of sleep a night won’t cut it.
Health professionals recommend we get at least an hour more than we normally do, so shoot for nine or ten hours of sleep.
Getting the extra sleep allows the immune system to repair itself, while also allowing more t-cells to enter our lymph nodes. This is what helps our bodies to fight the infected cells, hence why we actually feel better sooner. By letting your body rest more, you’re giving your body the chance to fight the infection, while replenishing your energy.
So the next time you’re starting to feel a little under the weather, don’t skimp on sleep. Shoot for a longer sleep that night, and give your body the rest it needs.
Related: 10 Tips for a More Restful, Refreshing Sleep
Drop a line