Reduce Stress to Build Your Immune System!

Stressors will arise and there is nothing we can do about it. However, finding ways to combat stress is vital since down regulating will help maintain a robust immune system. Stress can arise from anything. Wives can stress out their husbands, a husband can stress out his wife, or the kids can stress both parents out. They key is developing self care practices to reduce stress. The same fight or flight stress response occurs in the body whether we are running for our lives from a stray dog (acute), or constantly experiencing anxiety about securing clients to help pay the bills (chronic).

This fight or flight response activates the sympathetic nervous system in our bodies. When a physical threat ensues (chased by the dog) our systems will recover once the threat is removed (we run to freedom!) However, if the threat persists (constantly securing enough clients to keep a business running), we never give our bodies a chance to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. It’s important to understand that both systems cannot operate simultaneously! We are either in fight or flight (SYMPATHETIC) or rest and digest (PARASYMPATHETIC). Stress relief practices must be implemented to help down regulate into a parasympathetic state.

In an ideal world we will be able to address the stressor, allow our systems to recover and activate our parasympathetic nervous system. However, if that does not happen our gut will pay the price! Stress impacts our gut bacteria, stomach acid and our ability to absorb essential nutrients. These types of consequences contribute to local inflammation in the gut and can potentially lead to leaky gut (excessive gut permeability). When this happens things like pathogens, harmful bacteria and toxins can enter the blood stream. Hello Autoimmunity! Stress will also keep our cortisol levels soaring since cortisol is a hormone that helps reduce inflammation in the body. 

Even just reading all of this may kick up the stress meter! That is not my intention! My goal is to educate you about the repercussions of unaddressed stress. Take a look at this short video to get more in depth knowledge about the physiological ramifications. You can eat the healthiest food on the planet and workout like a warrior, but if you are stressed, (and yes that includes being sleep deprived), your health will be compromised.

Want to learn more about stress and what having a healthy gut biome really means? Check out My FIVE-F SYSTEM Gut Flora & Fiber Class!