There is a close connection between stress, immunity and illness. Nilima Bhat throws light on the proven science of psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI): How stress and immune system functioning in the mind compromises immunity and can lead to illness in the body.
Immunity: your best defence against illness
We often underestimate the role of immunity in cancer. The immune system is your best defence both against the occurrence and recurrence of cancer. The human body routinely produces potentially cancerous cell mutations which the immune system detects, deals with and flushes out. As a result, cancer (and illness) can only take hold when your immune system is compromised.
Illness, Stress and Immune System Functioning
Stress is a major problem of our times. Besides, many people have a limited understanding of what stress means and how serious it is.
Stress can originate at various levels within a person – physical, mental, emotional, systemic and spiritual.
First of all, you need to uncover your stressors and their triggers. In addition, you can take specific actions to heal from them too. This discovery and recovery restores peak stress and immune system functioning.
Psychoneuroimmunology
The science of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) states that the mind – where we experience stress – and the body – where illness manifests – are closely linked. Your feelings and emotions produce specific neurotransmitters in the brain.
Then the circulatory system carries these emotional imprints throughout the body. Your immune system identifies these as threatening and tries to fight them. No wonder, these perceived threats distract the stress and immune system functioning from doing its real job. Hence, you become more susceptible to illness.
The science of mind-body medicine
Psycho-neuro-immunology proves the mind-body connection. stress and immune system functioning in your mind compromises your immunity and leads to illnesses, including cancer.
Reflection
- Review your key lifestyle factors. Are there any changes you feel you can make here?
- What is the recurring chatter that goes on in your mind? How can you deal with it?
- Also what are your ‘feel-good’ strategies to release endorphins in your body? How well do you balance the stress in your life with calm and tranquility?
Nothing can prepare you for the cancer journey. But advice from someone who has been there and done that can provide valuable guidance. You can watch the Cancer Awakens video series here and read the articles here.