How Does Stress Affect Your Immunity

It has been known for a long time the impact stress had on the body's ability to fight infections. We now have scientific evidence that shows how stress also plays a major influence in altering the functions of the immune system.

It is interesting to note that short-term and long-term stress had different influence on the immune system. Short-term stress triggered the immune system to prepare for injury or infection, similar to a "flight or fright" response while long-term stress caused excessive wear on the body and activated a deterioration of the immune system

It is usually the long-term stress which negatively compromises the immune system. It should also be noted that the longer the duration of stress, the less the body's ability to adapt to the stressful situation. Long-term stress could lead to serious negative health repercussions beginning with attacking the immune system at the cellular level then going after the overall broader functions of the immune system.

However laboratory results showed that acute stress (stress that lasts for minutes to hours) temporarily mobilized all major types of immune cells, or leukocytes to potential battle stations in the body. In certain situations, this stress-induced boost in the number of immune cells may be advantageous, as leukocytes fight infections and other diseases.

Conclusion: Short-term or acute stress could actually be beneficial to your immune system while long-term or chronic stress causes serious damage.