Reducing Stress to Increase Immune Function

As we continue to navigate through quarantine/COVID-19 life, stress levels are increasing. News reports are telling us that cases are increasing over night, CDC guidelines are changing by the hour...it's so hard to keep up with all the information and overwhelming to see the constant changes in guidelines.

Here's the thing, though. Increased stress levels increase our chances of getting sick. When I think about this, I'm reminded of the week or two leading up to finals in college. I was ALWAYS sick during this time. I never made the correlation that it was my lifestyle and habits that were causing me to be sick. No sleep, living on energy drinks and fast food, stressing over the exact grade I needed on the final...

Chronic stress can reduce the immune system's ability to fight off antigens, which are potentially harmful substances that create an immune response. An over-activated immune response, triggered by chronic stress, can suppress immune function and increase risk of infections.

Reducing our stress levels increases our immune function. So just don't be stressed...right? Easier said than done, especially in this current pandemic.

Here are some ideas to increase your stress response and resilience:

-Practice yoga (before bed to relax for better sleep)

-Meditate for 10 min when you wake up to start the day stress free

-Spend some time in nature (unplug and tune into your senses)

-Workout (lifting heavy always helps me relieve stress)

-Focus on what you have control over, not what you can't control

-Get lost in a book (maybe while taking a bubble bath?!)

While you will never completely eliminate stress from your life, you can learn how to better manage it so it doesn't create long-term health problems.

Personally, I've enjoyed a 30-60 min (phone-free) walk to practice mindfulness and enjoy the outdoors everyday. How are you finding ways to de-stress?