The Far-Reaching Effects of Stress

There are varying degrees to which we feel stress, and whether it is a mood dampener, motivation killer or simply a burden that you just want to sleep off - it can all have serious repercussions on your physical health.

Can Stress Really Affect Your Immune System

People who lead stressful lifestyles or frequently feel the pressure of stress may have compromised immune systems, which leads to physical sicknesses and ailments. It is a pretty vicious cycle, as a simple cold can then up the ante on your stress levels, which will hinder your body from overcoming the cold quickly and fully.

What ensues can be a long period of sickness after sickness, throughout which the mental burdens and anxiety weigh down on your mind further. If you feel prone to stress or have a lifestyle that invites unwanted pressure, then you are at a high risk of compromised immune function.

The Relationship of Stress and Immune Responses

Stress releases cortisol, a hormone which can boost your immunity by fighting inflammation. In the short run, it can have positive effects on your health, but once your body gets used to all that cortisol, then you will be in trouble. When there is too much of this steroid hormone in your body, it can suppress your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to provide necessary white blood cells that fight infection.

White Blood Cells are Affected

White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are part of your immune system and are needed to fight off viruses and bacteria. When your body has too much cortisol for too long, it will prevent your body from being able to produce white blood cells.

Inflammation is More Frequent

Chronic inflammation is highly dangerous, as it will make you vulnerable to certain diseases of the immune system, such as arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and inflammatory bowel disease. If you have high levels of stress for years on end, then you may be in danger of growing cardiovascular problems. These include heart disease, gastric ulcers, and arrhythmias such as tachycardia. Inflammation must be taken highly seriously and regulated in order for you to live a healthy life.

Infections Are Easier to Catch

Sickness will not only come more often, but with high stress, your body will find it difficult and slower to heal. Simple colds or common infections can sustain and gradually become worse without a healthy number of white blood cells to help your body recover.

Chronic Stress Becomes Chronic Fatigue

Stress will also tire you out more frequently, and you will want to sleep more often and for longer to help fight off any sicknesses and associated ailments. Rest is necessary, but your whole biological clock may be thrown off. It is far more common with people who have changing daily schedules, requiring either early morning wakeups or burning the midnight oil, and even more so if you do both.

The Relationship of Stress and Immune Responses

Stress releases cortisol, a hormone which can boost your immunity by fighting inflammation. In the short run, it can have positive effects on your health, but once your body gets used to all that cortisol, then you will be in trouble. When there is too much of this steroid hormone in your body, it can suppress your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to provide necessary white blood cells that fight infection.

White Blood Cells are Affected

White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are part of your immune system and are needed to fight off viruses and bacteria. When your body has too much cortisol for too long, it will prevent your body from being able to produce white blood cells.

Inflammation is More Frequent

Chronic inflammation is highly dangerous, as it will make you vulnerable to certain diseases of the immune system, such as arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and inflammatory bowel disease. If you have high levels of stress for years on end, then you may be in danger of growing cardiovascular problems. These include heart disease, gastric ulcers, and arrhythmias such as tachycardia. Inflammation must be taken highly seriously and regulated in order for you to live a healthy life.

Infections Are Easier to Catch

Sickness will not only come more often, but with high stress, your body will find it difficult and slower to heal. Simple colds or common infections can sustain and gradually become worse without a healthy number of white blood cells to help your body recover.

Chronic Stress Becomes Chronic Fatigue

Stress will also tire you out more frequently, and you will want to sleep more often and for longer to help fight off any sicknesses and associated ailments. Rest is necessary, but your whole biological clock may be thrown off. It is far more common with people who have changing daily schedules, requiring either early morning wakeups or burning the midnight oil, and even more so if you do both.

Noticing the Signs Early

It is not easy to pick up early signs, as there are lots of stresses which can easily slip under our radar, only to build up later. Of course, there are physical symptoms which will indicate that you are under too much stress, but generally, you should catch the signs before they affect your physical health.

The real tell-tale signs of too much stress include fatigue, frequent headaches, loss of appetite and digestive problems, swollen lymph nodes, and, ultimately, frequent illnesses.

How You Can Fight Stress and Build Immune Response

Manage Stress, Enhance Immunity

There are lots of ways that you can battle stress and get your body in fighting fit shape. Even if you are not under any stress at the moment, these practises are helpful to prepare you for any future stresses.

Regular Excercise

Exercise comes highly recommended, as energy release produces ATP which helps fuel cellular processes and keep your body healthy. It also has hugely positive mental side effects, relieving lots of stress as you release energy.

Keeping a Nutritious Diet

Nutrition can give your immune system the huge boost it needs. Whole grains, fibres, lean proteins and vitamins will line your immune function with the essential minerals needed for a healthy immune function. Not keeping a healthy diet can have adverse effects, especially when you turn to comfort foods high in sugar and fat.

Finding Outlets for Your Stress

Other positive outlets include spending time with family and friends, keeping a journal, doing yoga and long walks, and engaging in new activities that can relieve stress. Every person has their preferences when it comes to letting out stress, and if you don't know yours, you can always experiment with new types of social and individual activities.

Meditation and Positive Thinking

A healthy body can support a healthy mind, and the same is certainly true the other way around. By engaging in practices such as meditation, you can settle your nerves and body. Positive thinking, whether through short-term distractions or finding long-term solutions to your stress, goes a long way to helping your body relax and recalibrate.

Concluding Stress and its Role in Your Immune Function

There are no surefire formulas or set of solutions that work for anyone. All of us have different reactions to stress and experience stress at different levels.

Our job is to help you find the activities, diet, and routines that best work for you in terms of building immune function and fighting stress. By reading our guides, tips and journals, you can draw inspiration to help fight the stresses of your daily life and build a strong and healthy immune system.

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