Does Worry Making You Sick?
People are always using the phrase “you are going to worry yourself sick.” There is a connection because worry and anxiety go hand in hand. Stress is a response to an overly challenging situation. It can cause many symptoms and physiological issues. When you feel anxious, your heart rate and breathing rate increase. You may even experience nausea and upset stomach which harms the immune system.
Studies show worry and stress can causes changes in the brain. It doesn’t cause damage, but it does increase the risk of mental illness such as depression and anxiety. Anxiety and stress reportedly makes an individual’s body weaker and have proved to shorten their lifespan.
The opposite is also the case. The more joy you have, the less anxious you will feel. Research suggests that happiness and joy boost the immune system response. Happier people are less prone to sickness. Maybe laughter is the best medicine.
Enjoy Better Immune System
It is easy for others to say relax or be happy, and everything will be alright. Realistically that is just naive. Some studies do show staying calm and relaxed improves the immune system response.
One way to relax is by inducing a relaxed state. Meditation or even hypnosis can fit that resolve. This relaxed state helps reduce physical symptoms caused by stress. Maintaining close relationships is another way to enhance joy. A healthy marriage or friendship suggests and improves good health compared to a strained relationship that causes adverse health consequences.
Other examples are holding hands with someone, petting a pet, music, and massage, to name a few. What you are ideally looking for are ways to reduces stress and help cultivate relaxation. It will help enhance joy and happiness at the same time boosting your immune system.
Joy Can Help the Healing Process
Have you ever noticed when some people are happy or joyful, their face gets flushed? This increase in happiness enhances the circulation of the blood in the body. This increase in circulation provides the body with more blood flow.
Here’s an example, when you have an infection within your body, the rise in blood flow allows more blood to reach the infected area. With more blood available, the infection will have more nutrients needed for the healing process. Sometimes medications and antibiotics are required for treating a condition.
The increase in blood flow will enable the needed amount of medication to reach the infected area, which will assist in the healing process.
Positive Outlook for a Healthier Immune System
Having a positive attitude will improve all situations and areas in your life. A happier lifestyle will enhance health, as well. Emotions play an essential role in regulating body systems that influence health. One of the major body systems affected is the immune system. Happiness has a direct relation to your immune response. Sadness or negativity has a direct relationship as well, producing the opposite effect.
The more joyful you are, the more reactive your body’s defenses to prevent your body from being under attack. The more sadness or negativity you feel, the less responsive the immune system will be. The essential function in strengthening the immune system is to practice healthier behavior because it makes you happier. It includes a nutritious diet and regular exercise. And on the flip side, the more stressed or depressed an individual is, the less likely they are to participate in healthy habits. One of the best defenses against stress, anxiety, and illness is a positive attitude.