Overview
- Dr Sophie Newton used TikTok to encourage prioritising sleep as colds and flu circulate widely in the UK this winter.
- She cited research in which volunteers were exposed to a cold virus, with fewer than seven hours of sleep tied to nearly triple the chance of falling ill compared with eight hours or more.
- Reported results said poor or fragmented sleep was associated with up to a 5.5-times higher likelihood of developing cold symptoms.
- Her practical tips included adding 15–30 minutes of rest, keeping a consistent bedtime, dimming lights an hour before bed, keeping the bedroom cool, and removing gadgets.
- She said sleep supports immune defences such as cytokines and antibodies, and coverage also noted a separate warning from Dr Suraj Kukadia against stomach-sleeping due to possible costochondritis.