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STRESSSTRATEGIES
HOW STRESS
FightMAKES IT HARDER TO
GERMS
Prolonged stress can reduce your body’s natural
defense system when you need it to be in top
shape to fend off infections this fall and winter.
SHORT-TERM STRESS CAN help you HELP YOUR “The relationship between stress and
perform nerve-wracking tasks or navigate immune system function is related to how
dangerous situations. However, if stress IMMUNE SYSTEM you view and handle stress,” Dr. Strothers
sticks around for days, weeks or months— says. “Eating and sleeping well and not
maybe because you’re worried about HELP YOU using tobacco, drugs and alcohol to cope
finances, caregiving for a family member with stress help keep your immune system
or the COVID-19 pandemic—it can harm Your immune system stands on guard fit. Getting help from a behavioral therapist
your health. One way chronic stress affects to attack viruses and bacteria that can help you reframe stressful issues and
your health is by disrupting your immune invade your body. You can support cope with them successfully.”
system, according to the National Institute your immune system by:
of Mental Health. »» Eating a balanced, nutritious diet To manage stress, you can:
»» Exercise regularly, which stimulates
“Unhealthy stress can negatively affect featuring vitamins and minerals
the immune system by decreasing the body’s that promote a healthy immune the body to produce mood-enhancing
ability to fight off infections, heal wounds system, including protein, hormones called endorphins.
and digest food properly,” says Tameka vitamin C, vitamin D, beta carotene »» Identify your stress triggers so you can
Byrd, DO, family medicine physician at and zinc avoid them, if possible.
Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent »» Exercising regularly, which »» Make time every day for something
Health. “Because of the body’s decreased promotes overall good health you enjoy, such as reading, painting,
defenses against infections when stressed, and can help immune system cells photography or playing with your dog
you can become more susceptible to travel through the body or cat.
developing respiratory illnesses.” »» Getting at least seven hours of »» Stay in touch with friends and family to
sleep each night reduce feelings of loneliness.
If you get sick, stress can make recovery »» Kicking the habit if you smoke »» Try yoga or breathing exercises to relax.
more challenging, according to the American »» Maintaining a healthy weight »» If you’re dealing with stress you can’t
Psychological Association. »» Washing your hands often and seem to shake, talk with your primary
avoid touching your face with care physician (PCP), who may refer you
MANAGEMENT MATERIAL unwashed hands to a behavioral health provider.
How you cope with chronic stress has a VISIT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG,
lot to do with the health of your immune AND CLICK ON “FIND A DOCTOR” TO
system, according to Harry Strothers FIND A PCP.
III, MD, MMM, Family Health Center,
Navicent Health. FALL 2020 | navicenthealth.org 11
