Having a good night’s sleep before and after receiving the coronavirus vaccine is important in the immune response, said an expert who reviewed 49 vaccine tests on humans dating back to 30 years.
Your body’s response to the COVID-19 vaccine may depend on your physical and mental shape.
“We know, and there is some research that suggests, that these responses to the vaccine are modifiable,” said Annelise Madison, a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
The vaccine may not be as effective if you are stressed, anxious, depressed, sedentary or not eating right.
“It may take longer to develop antibody levels, and the protection may not last as long,” said Madison. “It can impact things, like the side effects of getting the vaccine.”
Madison’s findings are based on a review of 49 human vaccine tests dating back 30 years.
“This is widespread in a wide variety of vaccines, which is why we think it would also be true for the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The review will be published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.
Similar findings resulted from a study involving the hepatitis B vaccine led by Madison’s counselor Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at the School of Medicine.
“Stressed and anxious medical students took longer to develop their antibody response after being inoculated,” said Madison.
Long-term and even short-term adjustments can make a difference.
“Take the time now to invest in physical and mental health,” said Madison. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be months and months of exercise. In fact, getting enough sleep in the nights just before and after the vaccine is extremely important for the immune response. “
If you have more time to prepare, Madison said that eight weeks of conscious meditation is helpful.
Cognitive-behavioral stress intervention is also useful for people diagnosed with depression and / or anxiety.
“The average successful intervention was six sessions for a total of about 280 minutes,” said Madison.
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