Your State of Mind Affects Your State of Health
Have you ever felt stressed out, lonely or just not yourself? And then you came down with something? Psychologists in the field of “psychoneuroimmunology” have shown that state of mind affects one’s state of health.
Studies have shown that short term and long term stress, from a few days to a few months or years, as can happen in life, all aspects of immunity went downhill. Chronic stress is particularly impactful, through long term wear and tear, and can severely weaken the immune system.
Stress causes the body to produce the stress hormone cortisol. In short spurts, cortisol can boost immunity by limiting inflammation. Over time, as with chronic stress, the body becomes accustomed to increased levels of cortisol which results in more inflammation. Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development and the progression of many diseases of the immune system such as arthritis, lupus and psoriasis. In addition, under sustained, long term stress, the body can also develop cardiovascular problems and have a greater risk for diabetes, various cancers, mental decline.
Questions about state of mind and health
Can stress make you sick?
Stress can weaken your immune system. Psychologists in the field of psychoneuroimmunology have shown that state of mind affects state of health. Studies found that stress lasting from a few days to months or years sent all aspects of immunity downhill, and chronic stress can severely weaken the immune system through long-term wear and tear.
How does cortisol affect inflammation?
It depends on how long the stress lasts. In short spurts, cortisol can boost immunity by limiting inflammation. With chronic stress, the body gets used to higher cortisol levels, which results in more inflammation. Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development and progression of immune diseases such as arthritis, lupus and psoriasis.
What are the long-term health risks of chronic stress?
Sustained, long-term stress is linked to more than weakened immunity. Under sustained stress, the body can develop cardiovascular problems and face a greater risk for diabetes, various cancers and mental decline. Chronic stress also raises inflammation over time, which can contribute to diseases of the immune system.