How Stress-Induced Illness Affects Your Immune System – Simple Steps To Better Health
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 22, 2023
- 5 min read
Written by: Jeneve Clarke, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The immune system is a marvelously intricate system that works tirelessly to protect us from all manner of illnesses. It's a system that is constantly influenced by various factors, both internal and external. To achieve optimal immune function, it's vital to understand these factors that can either enhance or inhibit the system's effectiveness.
It's crucial to support your immune system because it's the cornerstone of optimum health. In fact, optimum health is critical to the immune system too! Over the coming month, I look forward to sharing practical ways to enhance and support your immune function. Equally important, I'll highlight the things that you should avoid as they may negatively impact your immune system.
Today, let's focus on the importance of stress management and how it can affect your immune system. Stress is a part of life, but managing it is vital to ensure that it doesn't become chronic and have a negative impact on the immune system.
Psychoneuroimmunology
Many people fail to realise how vital their minds and attitudes are to the functioning of their immune systems. This is why I’ve listed it as the first step in supporting your immune system. The concept of psychoneuroimmunology highlights the intricate connections between the mind, nervous system, and immune system. Many clinical and experimental studies have shown that the mind and body play a significant role in our immune system. Personality, attitude, and emotion are etiologic/contributory in suppressing the immune system as well as leading to the development of diverse diseases. ¹
At Nature's Physician, we take a personalized and participatory approach to support your immune system. Every individual is unique and biochemically different, which makes their response to life events different. This means that a stressor that affects one person may not affect another in the same way. Essentially, it may be these differences in response that account for the wide range of stress-induced illnesses.
Stress is a part of life, and managing it is vital to ensure that it doesn't become chronic and have a negative impact on the immune system. From a basic scientific perspective, stress-induced increases in corticosteroids and catecholamine levels lead to an immunosuppressed state, leaving you susceptible to infections and illnesses. In fact, over 150 clinical studies have shown that stress can alter immune function and contribute to the development of significant disease and poor health. ²
To demonstrate the relationship between psychosocial stressors and the development of infectious illness, investigators have conducted several studies. One such study involved inoculating subjects with different types of vaccines to demonstrate clinically relevant alterations in an immunologic response to challenge under well-controlled conditions. The results showed that chronic stress associated with caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease or experiencing stressful life events was associated with a poorer antibody response to an influenza virus vaccine than in well-matched control subjects. ³ The premise was that a weaker immune response to a vaccine may be equivalent to impaired immune responses to other pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease. Consistent with this concept, subjects who showed poorer responses to vaccines also experienced higher rates of clinical illness as well as a longer-lasting infectious episode.
So what next? How do I reduce stress-induced illnesses and support my immune system
Reducing stress-induced illnesses and supporting your immune system requires a holistic approach that involves the mind, body, spirit and soul. Thankfully, the implementation of stress management techniques, such as humor, laughter, and positive mood have all been seen to be effective in helping to reduce the effects of stress on the immune system. ⁴ These techniques also promote the release of endorphins which may assist in improving mood and the immune system.
I love the way one writer, Ellen G white, puts it “courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote healing and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul”. ⁵
There is also a proverb which states that “a merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Adopting a positive outlook, practicing stress management techniques, and cultivating positive emotions can go a long way.
So what simple steps can you implement today:
Identify what may be causing your stress and replace any negative coping patterns with positive ones. Some common negative coping patterns include excessive TV viewing, emotional outbursts, overspending, overeating, and dependence on legal or illicit drugs. ⁶ By identifying these negative coping patterns, you can replace them with positive coping mechanisms that promote relaxation and calmness.
Implement calming techniques that promote a parasympathetic tone, such as deep breathing exercises, sauna, meditating on positive affirmations (I.e. a gratitude journal/bible promises), prayer, or progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can have a positive impact on your immune system.
Take a daily walk outside. Walking is a simple and effective way to reduce stress and improve your overall health. The fresh air and sunlight can also help boost your mood, promote relaxation and the extra vitamin D assists in supporting your immune system.
Seek support from a counsellor and other healthcare practitioners in your journey towards optimum health. Sometimes, stress can be overwhelming, and it may be challenging to manage it on your own. Seeking support from a counsellor or other healthcare practitioner can help you develop coping mechanisms that are specific to your situation. A counsellor can also provide a safe and supportive space to explore the root causes of your stress and provide guidance on how to manage it effectively.
By making small adjustments to your daily routine, you can make a significant difference in improving your overall health and wellbeing.
Have a great weekend and remember you are loved
Jeneve
Jeneve Clarke, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jeneve Clarke has dedicated her life to supporting others in achieving optimal health. With her vast expertise as a Nutritional Therapist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Solicitor, and Chartered Lawyer specializing in Gut Health, Endocrine health, and IP, she has a unique perspective on the importance of good health. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of dealing with IBS and Diabetes, Jeneve is passionate about helping others reclaim their health. She is the Founder of 'Nature's Physician Nutrition', a clinic and community wellness hub that provides accessible health services to all. Her practice is guided by the principles of the gospel, with her mission statement being 'Nature is God's Physician'
References:
[1] https://www.mysticmedicine.com/books-on-health/the-encyclopedia-of-natural-medicine; Campeau S, Day HE, Helmreich DL, et al. Principles of psychoneuroendocrinology. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1998;21: 259-276
[2] 1. Campeau S, Day HE, Helmreich DL, et al. Principles of psychoneuroendocrinology. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1998;21: 259-276. 2. Olff M. Stress, depression and immunity: the role of defense and coping styles. Psychiatry Res. 1999;85:7-15. 3. Padgett DA, Glaser R. How stress influences the immune response. Trends Immunol. 2003;24:444-448.
[3] ( Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Glaser R, Gravenstein S, et al. Chronic stress alters the immune response to influenza virus vaccine in older adults. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996;93:3043-3047. 8. Burns VE, Carroll D, Drayson M, et al. Life events, perceived stress and antibody response to influenza vaccination in young, healthy adults. J Psychosom Res. 2003;55:569-572
[4] MacDonald CM. A chuckle a day keeps the doctor away: therapeutic humor and laughter. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2004;42:18-25 add 1. Campeau S, Day HE, Helmreich DL, et al. Principles of psychoneuroendocrinology. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1998;21: 259-276).
[5] Page 241, Ellen G white ‘The ministry of healing’ The Stanborough Press ltd.
[6] (Textbook of natural medicine, Joseph E. Pizzorno and Michael T Murray, p 574) (Textbook of natural medicine, Joseph E. Pizzorno and Michael T Murray, p 574).
