Raise your hand if you're also struggling to sleep during the isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic? In the news, at home, and in WhatsApp groups, there's no other topic, and with so many uncertainties, it's hard to lay your head on the pillow and sleep peacefully.
However, in crises like this, a good night's sleep is even more important. Several studies show that good sleep boosts our immunity. It is while we sleep that our body metabolizes free radicals and restores cardiorespiratory functions.
According to the president of ABS-ES, Jéssica Polese, when there is sleep deprivation, important functions of the defense system are impaired, such as phagocytic activity. “Phagocytes are the defense cells that have the function of 'eating' the virus. When these immune factors are affected, people become more susceptible to infections,” she emphasizes.
With this in mind, the doctor provided some tips for those who need to sleep better:
- Turn off the TV. Following the news all day increases anxiety, which harms sleep quality.
- Maintain a routine of physical exercises even at home.
- Keep your sleep habits. Continue going to bed and waking up at the same times as before.
- Before bed, engage in pleasurable activities: read a book, drink tea, disconnect from technology.
- Dedicate time to a hobby. Use the quarantine to do something you didn’t have time for before, like painting, writing, drawing...
- Activities that relax the mind and reduce anxiety, such as meditation and yoga, are also recommended. Many people are offering online classes during this period.
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