Stress may interfere with the immune system, making the body’s natural line of defense less effective.

In a study of 25 "stressed" parents whose children were being treated for cancer, the effects of stress hormones on white blood cells, which fight infections in the body, was evaluated.

It was found that the white blood cell response of the stressed parents was less than that of parents with healthy children. White blood cells normally release cytokines (immune system protein) that help to fight infection, a process known as inflammation. The process can be damaging if too much occurs, so it is naturally stopped in the body by cortisol, a stress hormone.

Researchers found that since the stressed parents were less likely to respond to the stress hormone, their cells continued to produce cytokines, and the process of inflammation was not properly shut down in their bodies.

However, stressed parents who reported having a lot of support from family members or friends had an immune response similar to that of the stress-free parents.

Health Psychology November 2002;21:531-541

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Most people recognize the relationship between stress and infection. However, I have been absolutely amazed at how effective bioenergetic normalization techniques can be in addressing this stress.

I have been using psychological acupressure techniques like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) for over 18 months and have been pushing the limits of what it can treat. To date I have been able to help four people remove all of their cold and flu symptoms within a few minutes.

However, more frequently the stress that affects the immune system is chronic and related to some emotional challenge that has not been fully resolved. EFT is extremely effective in rapidly resolving the negative influence of these stressors.

It doesn’t matter if the event happened last week or forty years ago, EFT consistently helps to address the stress, secondarily improving the immune system.

If you haven’t reviewed the recently updated free EFT manual, please do. The last section that includes the Goals and Affirmation directions is especially useful. For a more in-depth look at this technique, my EFT Series is available on DVD or VHS.

Another common assignment that I give many patients in the midst of emotional stresses is to write about their trauma for ten to fifteen minutes a a day, then burn the paper. Burning the paper is symbolic; it is equivalent to destroying the stress you wrote on it and allows you to literally burn up a stress that was previously confined to your body.

Previous studies have found journaling to be an enormously powerful, effective and inexpensive therapy option.

Related Articles:

Stress Can Actually Boost Your Immune System

Stress Worsens Your Immune System