Chronic stress can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. It puts a strain on the immune system, lowering your ability to fight disease. This can lead to several health issues, including heart disease and autoimmune conditions. Here’s what you should know.

What Causes Chronic Stress?

During stressful situations, your body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which cause you to be more alert. You may notice your heart beating faster and breaths becoming shorter. This is a normal fight or flight response. However, when you’re always in this state, it’s considered to be chronic stress.

Chronic stress has different sources depending on the person. Common stressors include financial problems, difficult relationships, health issues, and high-pressure jobs. Some common side effects are disturbed sleep, fast heart rate, nervousness, depression, and anxiety.

How Does It Impact the Immune System?

Chronic stress can suppress the immune system by lowering the number of cells that fight off harmful antigens. This can result in a myriad of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, asthma, and infectious illnesses.

Stress has also been linked to the spread of cancer. Studies have shown that when mice carry human tumors, elevated stress hormones can cause the tumors to grow or spread.

How Can I Manage It?

The first step in managing your chronic stress is identifying your triggers. For instance, if financial difficulties are the problem, you can try to make a plan to improve your situation. Other natural ways to handle chronic stress include being more mindful, exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting the proper amount of sleep.

Your immune system is crucial for fighting off illness. If you have an autoimmune disease, contact the team at Integrative Medicine of New York, PLLC in Westbury, NY, to learn about alternative treatment options. They specialize in immunotherapy, onco-immunology, and preventative medicine for patients throughout Long Island, the Tri-State Area, and all five boroughs of New York City. Visit their website to learn more or contact them at (516) 759-4200 to schedule your consultation today.