Stress and the Immune System
While the initial fight or flight response can boost your immune system, stress for too long can be harmful and lead to stress related illnesses. As colds and flu's make their rounds in schools, offices and homes this year, you may be wondering what you can do to boost your immune system? One thing that you can do is to reduce your stress as stress has been shown to have an impact on your immune functioning and lead to a number of stress related illnesses. Stress and the immune system - Stress related illnessesWhile the fight or flight response can boost the immune system for short-term stress - chronic stress suppresses the immune system and leads to stress related illnesses. Free Stress Management Resources ...Or why not take part in our free stress management course delivered to your Inbox. The immune system is your body's defense and surveillance system. The immune system recognizes and protects you from foreign substances such as germs, viruses, cancerous cells, and irritants. When stressed the immune system is suppressed, which makes it more difficult to fight these foreign invaders - leaving the body more vulnerable to attack. In a study of stress and the immune system, academic pressure and immunological functioning were investigated by Jemmott and colleagues in 1983. They found that at the end of the academic year - around exam periods which were considered most stressful - the immune response was reduced. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1991), Cohen and colleagues supported the hypothesis that the more stress you are under the greater the likelihood of catching a cold. Because stress harms your white blood cells it can also take longer for your body to heal itself. In a study conducted by Kiecolt-Glaser and colleagues in 1995, it took 9 days longer for wounds to heal in highly stressed women compared to less stressed women with the same economic status and age. Although there does not appear to be evidence that stress can cause cancer, there is evidence that when the immune system is suppressed that more cancerous tumors can develop. Ways that you can boost your immune systemIf you are suffering from chronic stress then this type of stress can impair your immune system. Stress and the immune system are intimately related and it is important to take control of your stress.
Practice relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can short circuit the stress response and reduce the physical and emotional effects of stress. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation or breathing exercises activate the relaxation response and reduce the impact of stress on the immune system. Adopt an optimistic attitude. People who adopt a pessimistic attitude tend not to cope well with stress and have lower immune functioning (Lin & Peterson, 1990). This suggests that adopting a positive mental attitude can help you to combat stress and boost your immune functioning.
Exercise and immune functioning. Exercise relaxes muscles and uses up the accumulated stress products from the fight or flight response. Exercise reduces stress in a number of ways and can alleviate depression and anxiety. Exercise can also increase immune functioning. Just a brisk walk can bolster immune defenses. Related Articles
Migraine Headache Relief: Cure Migraine Heachaches without Medication Stress and Hair Loss: Can Stress Make You Bald? What is TMJ: Signs, Symptoms and Cures for TMJ Stress and Heart Disease: How Stress is Related to Coronary Heart Disease Stress Weight Gain: Can Stress Make You Fat? Intestinal Gas: Stress and Intestinal Gas Stress and Hair Loss: Can Stress Make You Bald? Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Stress and IBS
Click here to return from stress and the immune system to how does stress affect health Click here to return from stress and the immune system to the stress management homepage
|
