Howdy! I will be starting a series called “Did you know?” and each blog will cover a new topic! Stay tuned to learn new information and strategies for high-level wellness.
Did you know stress can suppress your immune system?
Stress-induced immune dysfunction, The effect of stress on the defense systems, Stress, ageing and their influence on functional, cellular and molecular aspects of the immune system
Yep… you read that right. Stress, specifically chronic stress, can have a negative effect on your immune system. I have linked 3 studies above that looked at immune response in correlation with stress levels if you are interested.
According to the authors of Stress-induced immune dysfunction, (Glaser & Glaser), stress is defined as “When events or environmental demands exceed an individual’s ability to cope… Studies of stress and immunity often use measures of negative mood that assess symptoms of general distress, anxiety or depression.”
As the semester progresses and stress levels rise, and temperatures drop the cold and flu season begins! Help your body fight off the germs and viral infections by keeping stress levels at bay. This way you can stay happy and healthy and not have to miss class from illness! Here are a few stress reduction tips to try out:
- Exercise (do whatever is fun for you!)
- Laughter (hangout with friends, watch a funny movie or tv show)
- Have a routine/ Be prepared (use calendars, planners, or to-do lists)
- Prioritize your health (get 7 hours of sleep, eat fruits and vegetables, and drink water)
- Let it out! (this could be a brain dump, a rage room/boxing classes, or even just a deep breathe in followed by a big sigh)
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