554 days ago

Keep The Doctor Away With The Good Night Sleep

Beds4U - Avondale

It is officially that time of the year when we need to be cautious about the flu in the air. Many people who are extremely sensitive and catch flu very easily. Even when they make sure that they get their room or even the entire house disinfected.

There is one very tiny thing which many people miss out and are not even aware of. You would be surprised to know that not sleeping well deeply affects the immune system, metabolism, reflexes and many other natural processes inside the body. Sleeping well is essential not just for the season of flu, but it should be done throughout the year.


Your body’s immune system gets stronger with this very simple yet very effective habit. A healthy immune system allows you to freely enjoy and do the things that you cherish and that too without an age bar. Even if you have crossed your 70’s and have a strong immune system, you can even expect your body to allow you to do a hardcore workout on a daily basis and for this, all you need to do is, get ample sleep.

Here are some examples and theories which tell us how sleep is so important for a healthy immune system

1. Lack of sleep affects your immune system.

The immune system has multiple processes, and thus it is very complex. There are various cells present in our body, and the white blood cells are responsible for fighting the diseases or keeping the immunity strong. Another type of the white blood cells are T-cells which are mostly focused on destroying the viruses and the bacteria.

The scientists have found through research and study that if you are not sleeping well, the amount of the T-cells can tremendously decrease. With the lack of T-cells, the defence mechanism of the body slows down, and the flu and other viruses can easily infect you.

When you are not getting enough sleep that your body needs, the inflammatory cytokines which are another kind of cells in our body, start increasing.

Although the increase of these cells leads to damage of tissues to a certain level only, it does enough damage which adds to the lack of T-cells and then makes the body very weak and it is eventually succumbed by the flu and other diseases.

2. Lack of sleep can also reduce the response to the fever

Surely nobody likes to have a fever as it a very miserable and uncomfortable feeling, but what we do not know is that fever is also a trick played by the immune system. The extra heat of the body during a fever kills the germs and viruses infecting the body.

When you have a fever, you must have noticed that while you are asleep, your body temperature is higher. This shows that while your body is in the rest mode, the immunity will be stronger. The body takes the advantage of being in no motion, and the disease-fighting cells will get more charged up to fight the against the infection.

When you are not well, it becomes more important to get a sound sleep. This helps your body to get well faster and become strong to fight against any other infections.

3. Extra sleep will not help your immune system

If you are taking the right amount of rest (nine to ten hours of sleep for kids and teens, and seven to eight hours for the grown-ups), you can expect to have a healthy immune system.

Just like all other good habits, an excess of sleep is also not so good. You also need to have healthy habits along with sound sleep. Like working late night and then sleeping till afternoon can also be bad for you. Best thing is to sleep early, have your meals at routine intervals, and also give some workout to your body.

Sometimes it is even your mattress which you should consider replacing if you are not able to sleep for at least 7 hours in one stretch. An uncomfortable mattress can give you a body ache and a bad posture in the long run. If you need help in finding the right mattress for yourself, do consider having a word with your friends at Beds4U. At Beds4U we can assure you that you will be able to find the right mattress for a comfortable sleep. Stop by today to find the perfect mattress for you!

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2 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

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🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
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382 votes
17 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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13 hours ago

The Gospel’s Relevance Today**

Steve Bostin from Christadelphians New Lynn

The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.


**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.

* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.

* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.

* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.

* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.

* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.

In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.

**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”

This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”

**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.

* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.

* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.

* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.

This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.

**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.

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