Scientists have long recognized the impact that stress can have on our immune systems confirming the theory that when you are stressed you are more prone to illnesses. The stress itself does not cause the illness, but it does affect your immune system leaving you more vulnerable to all types of illnesses from the common cold to more serious diseases.

A little short-term stress is a positive defense mechanism used by our bodies in the well known fight or flight situation. This is only meant to be short term however with our bodies relaxing once the danger is over. The problem comes when the stress is continual and prolonged and this is when it can negatively affect our health by depressing the immune system.

There are also varying levels of stress as a deadline to meet or a big project at work can not be compared to the stress you would suffer if you were to have an accident that left you unable to walk for example. The apparent hopelessness of a situation will cause not only long term stress and but with no end to the situation in sight, the mind and body might feel it can not cope. This type of sustained and intense stress severely affects the functioning of our immune system. The cumulative effects of long term stress will take its toll over time reducing the body’s ability to fight off disease.

The impact of stress will affect an elderly person or a sick person far more than other people. It could be for this reason that someone who has a severe injury or who are going through a bereavement have an increased risk of dying in the year following the incident.

Unfortunately it is not as simple as reducing your stress levels as the studies have shown that the events that caused the stress in the first place can affect us long after it has occurred. A person may show problems with their immune system years after they experienced a loss, were attacked or suffered an accident. In these cases it would be advisable to seek professional help for the offending trauma.

The stress and decreased immune function can lead to more serious problems later in life including heart disease and cancer. If you suffer from one of these diseases you will also be less able to effectively fight them.

The best way to avoid these problems is to ensure that you have a healthy diet to build up your immune system and reduce your stress levels.

How To Reduce Stress

• Relaxation exercises
• Physical exercises
• Get help to release any emotional causes of stress such as bereavement
• Strengthen your immune system with a healthy balanced diet

Whatever the reason you need to pinpoint it and deal with it to avoid the long term consequences of stress.