Stress and the Immune System-Acupuncture Helps!
Stress and the Immune System
Stress can have a dramatic effect on people’s lives in multiple ways. When the body undergoes a stressful situation, it is in overdrive mode, tapping into its vital resources for energy. Often times, the digestive system will have less energy to digest food. There may be a decrease in appetite because the body is not producing enough pancreatic enzymes and gastric acid to break the food down. The body is utilizing its energy primarily to deal with stressor. In addition, the immune system goes down when the body is under stress, leaving the body vulnerable to pathogens such as colds and TNus that are lurking in the air or on surfaces and counters. So, if stress can break down the body’s ability to digest food, and can decrease the immunity factors, it can do a lot of damage. This is why it is so important to keep stress at bay. Here are a few simple solutions:
1. Get a good night of sleep. Try to get to bed by 11pm or earlier. 8.5 hrs of sleep is typically the amount of sleep that is needed.
2. Eat consistently throughout the day-breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as have snack food handy. This will level out your blood sugar so the body does not have to make sugar that turns into energy. Do not skip meals. This will only cause a blood sugar drop, weight gain and put the body in a state of stress.
3. Try to keep stress at bay by not overworking.
4. Exercise daily if possible.
5. Keep your house tidy-a house that is in good order will promote a feeling of peace and relaxation.
6. Try to incorporate some weekly meditation-this does not have to be silent meditation. It can be a walk in the park, in nature, listening to positive affirmations or books on cd/mp3.
7. Stay positive and don’t worry. All will work out just fine. Think good thoughts and good things will come.
8. Acupuncture is another wonderful modality that helps with stress in one treatment!
At The Holistic Clinic in Franklin, we practice balance. We are here to teach and promote how to live a balanced life. Please give our Franklin clinic a call if you have any questions.
