Australian scientists have proven what many people have suspected
for years: stress makes you sick! Funny how scientists can
spend years proving something that seems to be common knowledge
for most, but I guess some people have to be absolutely sure
that an undisputed relationship exists between cause and effect.
I’m sure that most have you have experienced almost
an instantaneous stress / body “cause and effect”
when you just have to run to the bathroom when you feel more
than a little nervous, or have experienced that griping gut
pain when someone gives you extremely bad news. Long term
effects of stress are seriously affecting are health and well
being. Read what these Australian researchers have to say,
and you may have to re-think your lifestyle.
Researchers at Sydney’s Garvan Institute have discovered
how a hormone known as neuropeptide Y (NPY), often released
during times of stress; can prevent our immune system functioning
properly. The institute’s Associate Professors Fabienne
Mackay and Herbert Herzog said their findings, published in
the Journal of Experimental Medicine, prove a link between
the brain and the immune system. The research paves the way
for understanding and preventing stress-related colds, flu,
depression and even cancer, they said.
“Until now there has mostly been circumstantial evidence
of a link between the brain and the immune system, but now
we have that connection,” Prof Mackay said. “During
periods of stress, nerves release a lot of NPY and it gets
into the bloodstream, where it inhibits the cells in the immune
system that look out for and destroy pathogens (bacteria and
viruses) in the body.” The research also opens the door
for new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. “This
discovery will be vital in helping us develop a whole new
generation of drugs that can stimulate immune defenses in
people who have high levels of stress,” Prof Mackay
said. Under extreme periods of stress, the NPY hormone can
also prevent our good TH1 cells (also known as “helper”
cells) from attacking bacteria and viruses, she said. Prof
Mackay said exploiting this TH1 inhibitory mechanism to prevent
immune responses getting out of control would be essential
in responding to diseases including rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes
and lupus. She was quick to point out, however, that proper
medication could take years to develop and there was a lot
more to understand about stress and its effect on the immune
system. “In the meantime, it is important that we understand
how bad stress is for all of us,” Prof Mackay said.
“The best thing to do is to remove stress from our lives
just by reorganizing the way we live, changing our lifestyle
and using things like yoga and relaxation to the best of our
ability. “That stress makes you sick is no longer a
myth, it is a reality and we need to take it seriously.”
(Excerpt MSN health)
So, how to avoid stress in your life?
- Don’t let it in! Have a serious look at your life
situation in general. Your employment, relationship, finances.
Try to re-organize your situation so as stress inducing factors
are minimized. That’s not always easy, and sometimes
it’s easier to get objective advice from a third person;
counselor or a friend perhaps.
- Take up a relaxing hobby such as light exercise, cooking
classes, or music.
- Relax, relax, relax. If that does not come easy for you,
learn how to meditate, or have hypnosis tapes made especially
for you.
- Get a pet! Here is something else that medical science has
now proven, and yet we have known for a long time. Stroking
a pet (especially something warm, cute and cuddly…snakes
and reptiles don’t really work that well), has been
proven to lower blood pressure and decrease stress levels
in their owners.
- And lastly, my favorite, go for a slow evening stroll on
the beach. The ocean has an amazing calming effect on the
soul.
Always make time for yourself ….after all, you are the
only one you have!
“Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife
that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty
years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral
service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any
health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail
at info@chcbali.com”.
