Stress And Its Effects On The Immune System

Stress is your body's response to any form of change, which can affect the immune system. It may slow bodily functions, increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, increase cholesterol, and suppress your immune system, potentially causing sickness. In addition, stress can increase your chances of engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms that can further impact your immune system. Learning to manage stress healthily may help your immune system function optimally. 

What is stress?

Stress, a topic of extensive research, is often defined as how your body and mind react when a change occurs. When your environment changes or requires you to make a change, it can result in feelings of uneasiness. Humans, in their search for predictability, tend to like routines because they enable people to know what to expect and how they might be affected. When some form of stimulus requires you to respond, or when a situation is different from the norm or what was expected, it can lead to physical, mental, and emotional changes, otherwise known as stress. 

How stress is connected to the immune system

Stress can exacerbate various health conditions, both mental and physical, including heart disease and depression. Your immune system is responsible for helping you feel your best. When your immune system is working well, it may build up antibodies and fight off germs and harmful bacteria you encounter. You may encounter various bacteria in your daily life and be unaware of them because they are handled effectively by your immune system. 

When your immune system is overworked, it may be more difficult to prevent you from falling ill. You may catch a cold or flu that's going around, for instance. If your immune system isn't functioning well for an extended period, you may be affected by more serious concerns. These illnesses can harm your immune system, potentially creating a cycle that's difficult to escape. 

How stress might affect your immune system and body

When you experience psychological stress, your body may initiate an evolutionary fight-or-flight response. When that fight-or-flight response is incited, it may cause several reactions in the body, including releasing adrenaline and slowing down digestion. Below are a few of the impacts of chronic stress on your immune system, both in the short term and long term. 

Slowed bodily functions

Stress and the release of adrenaline can impair bodily functions because your body preserves all your energy and strength to respond to the source of the stress. Once the stress is relieved, your body may struggle to catch up. In some cases, stress may lead to ulcers or chronic pain. 

Increased heart rate and blood pressure

The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline may also affect your circulatory system, including your heart rate and blood pressure. Because your heart rate may rise when you're experiencing an adrenaline rush, long-term increased heart rate or blood pressure can cause problems by straining your circulatory system. If you frequently experience increased heart rate and blood pressure as a stress response, you may increase your risk of chronic hypertension, which can be a precursor to heart disease. 

Increased cholesterol

When exposed to stress, the body releases hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, which can influence metabolic processes, including the breakdown of fats. Chronic stress may be linked to high cholesterol levels. An excess of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the blood may accumulate on arterial walls, forming plaques. Over time, these plaques can narrow arteries and rupture, potentially leading to the formation of blood clots.

Suppressed immune system

Stress can increase levels of corticosteroids like cortisol in the body, potentially suppressing the immune system. When you encounter different germs and bacteria, your body’s immune response may not be able to adequately fight them off. As a result, you might experience delayed wound healing or an increased risk of infections. 

Higher likelihood of unhealthy coping mechanisms

Finally, there may be indirect ways that long-term stress can affect your chances of getting sick or developing an illness. People who are stressed may be more likely to engage in harmful behaviors, including eating a poor diet, using excessive substances, smoking, experiencing a lack of sleep, and lacking exercise. These unhealthy coping mechanisms may disrupt immune responses and increase the risk of illness. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Counseling options 

Working with a therapist may help you discover effective strategies and content for managing and alleviating stress (and thus, potentially boosting your immune system and physical health). However, many people find that the need to schedule an appointment and visit a therapist's office in person can cause more stress. If this is the case for you, you may wish to try online therapy instead through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy can enable you to receive the support and guidance you deserve from the comfort of your home at a time that fits your schedule.

One study found that online therapy can be highly effective in treating various mental health concerns, particularly anxiety and the effects of stress. When you sign up for a platform, you can specify your symptoms before matching with a therapist to ensure you receive a match with someone specializing in stress or other mental health concerns you're experiencing. Note that you do not have to have a mental illness or diagnosis to receive support.