Does stress damage the immune system

Before having the answer to this question, it is important to know the difference between acute stress (short-term stress) and chronic stress (long-term stress). While acute stress causes responses in the body that include boosting the immune system, chronic stress may impair the immune system. The body’s response to acute stress which is sometimes called the “fight or flight” response includes changes in all the system of the body. Acute stress activates the body´s natural defence systems and while this results in boosting the immune system temporarily, it does not damage the immune system.

A long-term stress can damage the immune system if persistent stressful situations, such as a high-pressure job or an unhappy relationship, do not allow the body to return to a normal relaxed state. Instead of boosting the immune system, chronic stress appears to blunt the immune response, increase the risk for infections and impair a person’s response to immunizations. Studies have shown that people under chronic stress have lower than normal white blood cell counts, are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses, take longer to recover from them and experience worse symptoms than people who do not have high stress levels. 

It may not be possible to leave a high-pressure job in order to reduce your stress level and if doing so would cause financial problems, you could actually increase your stress level. Good nutrition, regular exercise and certain health supplements may help you protect yourself from the effects of chronic stress by naturally boosting the immune system and allowing the body to return to a more relaxed state. When we are stressed, our body creates extra energy to protect itself. This additional energy cannot be destroyed. If not used, this creates a suppression of the natural positive acute mobilization of immune cells to the point of challenge, an imbalance within our system. Chronic stress and stress can damage the immune system the immune system by increasing sympathetic activity and decreasing cellular immunity. Immune cells migrate to different parts of the body and can worsen autoimmune and allergic conditions.
 
A healthy immune system regulates our body´s healing process and protects it against infections and diseases. When stress compromises our immune function, it can result in colds, flu, fatigue, cardiovascular disorders and premature aging. Stress diseases heart rate, blood pressure, glucose level, adrenaline, free radicals and oxidative damage. Protecting the immune system is a vital part of living longer, feeling younger and being healthy. There are some natural healthy ways to reduce stress, boost our immune system and slow down the hands of time. These are the following:

• Walking and physical activity (dancing, gardening, cycling, swimming, etc.);
• Yoga and stretching; these slow movements can reduce mental and physical stress, tension and anxiety;
• Hand hygiene
• Laughter and humour; laughing increase our immune system and disease resistance;
• High nutrient diet
• Good sleep
• Positive thinking; having a positive attitude, finding the good in our life and looking at the bright side of things contribute to a good immune system and to less stress;
• Hydrotherapy

There is a commonly held belief that reducing stress can help to strengthen our immune system. Many people with cancer believe that they should strengthen their immune systems to help beat the disease. While no one knows whether strengthening immunity can help to cure cancer, most doctors and nurses agree that reducing stress is a good thing to do.