Not getting enough sleep could increase your risk of catching a cold, according to new research that reinforces the importance of getting a proper night’s sleep.

Research published in the journal Sleep says that people who only get six hours or less sleep each night are four times more likely to catch a cold after exposure to the virus than people that get seven or more hours sleep a night.

A short period of sleep was more important than any other factor in predicting the likelihood of catching a cold. It didn’t matter how old people were, their stress levels, their race, income or whether they smoked or not.

With the winter ‘cold and flu’ season approaching, you have been warned. Forget the late night movie and go to bed!