How Stress Affects Your Immunity

Mental and physical stress is inevitable, but it is crucial to limit the effects of stress whenever possible. Limiting stress not only improves mental health and general quality of life, but it also ensures that our body’s immune defense system is armed. Read on to uncover how stress affects our immunity.

When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. There are numerous biological functions that occur when there is a state of heightened stress mentally, emotionally, or physically within our bodies.

How does stress affect your immunity?

Pressure on the digestive system

Increase in Cortisol levels

Increase in blood pressure

Decrease in white blood cells, T-cells, and B-cells

Increase in inflammation

Triggers autoimmune disorders

All of these stress responses can have short and long-term consequences. Chronic suppression of the immune system via stress leaves the body vulnerable to infection and disease. Our body can not fight infection or disease as effectively when any of the above is present in the body.

Stress can also lead to leaning on negative habits that affect our health and immune system. Overeating, smoking, drinking, and more have an adverse effect on stress. It is crucial to remain balanced and release stress when possible to reduce the chance of the above stress responses or bad habit formation. 

How do you combat stress effectively? 

Breathwork is one of the most direct, accessible, and impactful stress-relieving tools available to us. We can tap in any time, anywhere, and receive the benefits of breathwork. 

Controlled conscious breathing has a positive effect on the immune system by:

• Lowering cortisol levels
• Lowering blood pressure
• Improving autonomic (the automatic system in our body that works behind the scene) response to physical and mental stress

No pills or potions required. You have everything you need within.

I invite you to take a step towards stress reduction with me in one of my virtual breathwork workshops. I provide transformational breathwork workshops aimed to arm you with the tools you need to continue your wellness journal beyond the workshop and into your daily life.

Learn More

Whether you are local to Grand Rapids and can come to my East Town office The Healing Space or you are somewhere else in the world. Allow me to guide you in this experience of transformative healing.

All of my Breathwork sessions are combined with Reiki Energy Therapy, Crystals, a Holistic Health Consultation & recommendations in-between sessions with healing tools so you can continue empowering your own journey. Learn more about my in-person + virtual offerings HERE.