When you are sick, you spend the most of your time sleeping in bed, which is perfectly normal. While being sick can be annoying, it is common to feel exhausted and listless. Sleeping is actually very important when you are sick. It is one way your body communicates with you to take it easy and recover. It is usually advised to get enough sleep when feeling under the weather. But does sleep really have an impact on fever? In this blog, we’ll find out if sleep will help a fever.
It's important to fully understand what a fever is before looking into the connection between sleep and fever. A fever is the body's normal response to infection or disease. It happens when the body's internal thermostat, located in the hypothalamus of the brain, increases its temperature to help fight off invading germs.
Sleep is a must for maintaining one's overall health and wellbeing. During sleep, the body rebuilds tissues, improves the immune system, and consolidates memories. Adequate sleep is critical for proper immunological function, which is required to resist illnesses.
Can Sleep Help with Fever?
Sleep is not directly linked with lowering body temperature, but it does support the immune response, which helps you fight the cause of the fever. When you sleep, your body can focus its energy on fighting the infection without the distractions of daily activities. Also, there are certain hormones released during sleep, such as growth hormone, which can help repair and regenerate tissues damaged in illness.
When you sleep, you don’t waste your energy on other things, such as moving or spending energy unnecessarily. It allows your body to save energy to fight the infection more efficiently. The conserved energy can help ease fatigue and tiredness due to fever.
Tips for Getting Quality Sleep During Fever:
Even though you feel sleepy all the time when you are sick, that doesn’t mean you’ll get quality sleep when you sleep. Fever can make it difficult for you to get good sleep. Here are some tips you can follow to get quality sleep during a fever.
- Maintain a comfortable sleep environment: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet to promote restful sleep. The sleep environment is a major factor that determines the quality of our sleep. If you have too much light and noise in the room, it will be difficult for you to fall asleep.
- Stay hydrated: It is very important to stay hydrated when you are sick. Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of fever. Try to complete your water intake; you can also consume liquid drinks such as fruit juices and shakes.
- Use a supportive pillow: Body aches are quite common in fever, so it is recommended to sleep on a good-quality mattress and pillow that provides adequate support. We often wake up with stiff neck or shoulder pain because of our traditional pillows, and you spend so much time in bed, so it is recommended to use a good-quality pillow.
- Practice relaxation techniques: You can try doing relaxing activities before bedtime, such as deep breathing exercises or light stretching. It will help you sleep better and feel more relaxed.
- Follow your doctor's advice: If you are not sure if the fever will get better with sleep or you should go to the doctor for treatment, it is better to consult the doctor for personalized guidance.
How Much Sleep is Too Much?
Don't be concerned if you find yourself sleeping all day when unwell, especially in the first few days. Allow your body to rest as long as you wake up to drink water and consume nutritious foods on a regular basis. When you have a cold, flu, or fever, your body need plenty of rest. Sleeping more than usual helps your body strengthen its immune system and fight off disease.
If your cold, flu, or illness does not seem to improve with time, despite lots of rest, consult your doctor.
Conclusion
Whether you are sick or not, a nice pillow helps ensure a good night's sleep. If you want a pillow that will support your head, neck, and spine while also providing a comfortable sensation, the Sleepsia memory foam pillow is the perfect option. Memory foam supports your neck's natural curve and helps to keep your spine aligned. One piece of advice for avoiding neck pain is to use a pillow that 'keeps your cervical spine in neutral posture', so a memory foam pillow is precisely what the doctor prescribed.
FAQ
Q. Can poor sleep cause a fever?
Ans. A lack of sleep or sleep deprivation does not cause fever, but it does increase your susceptibility to the flu and other diseases. This is because sleep deprivation weakens the immune system.
Q. How can I naturally reduce my fever?
Ans. Staying hydrated, resting, taking mild showers, and eating a well-balanced diet are all natural ways to reduce fever. The most important thing is to follow the doctor's advice.