WHY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP IS SO VITAL

“SLEEP – how much we get on average each night and quality (the fewer awakenings during the night is considered good) – also affects your immune system and has been shown to influence your risk of developing an infection when exposed to a respiratory virus.

“People least likely to develop infections are those who get more than seven hours sleep each night, and are asleep for over 95 per cent of the time after lights out at bedtime until morning.

“There are a number of things you can do to help you get a good night’s sleep, including having a regular time for going to bed and waking up, relaxing before bedtime, having a dark, quiet, warm sleeping environment (not too warm though, a bedroom temperature of 15-19C is usually best for sleeping well) and a comfortable bed with an appropriate duvet tog rating for the time of year and cotton sheets.

“You should also avoid caffeine, nicotine, exercise, heavy meals and drinking alcohol or large volumes of fluid for a few hours before going to bed.

“Try to resist the temptation to look at your mobile phone or tablet after getting into bed and try to forget about your worries until morning.”