Note to Readers: Stress can be blamed for 60- 90 percent of all visits to the doctor’s office. High levels of stress are harmful to our health impacting everything from blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels. Chronic stress has been linked to obesity, depression, and drug / alcohol abuse. Now research is looking at how stress affects our immune system and cancer. Thanks to Krista for bringing awareness to this subject.
By Krista Peterson
The health problems that stress can cause are wide-ranging, from high blood pressure to cardiac failure. But new studies show that stress might actually be even worse for us than what we previously expected. Scientists studying the new field of physchoneuroimmunology, which explores the interaction between the nervous and immune systems of the body, have discovered a direct, harmful connection between stress and cancer. Chemicals produced in significant amounts when you are stressed are proven to have an effect on tumor growth. Norepinephrine, in particular, has been proven to induce cancerous tumor cell growth in mice and likely plays a role in ovarian cancer in humans as well.
How can you help reduce the risk? Well it turns out that positive emotional experiences can actually boost the immune system’s response to fighting cancer cells. The power of positive thinking just might have an actual health benefit in helping to offset the effects of stress.
In fact, some of the benefits of exercise for patients recovering from cancer include boosting self-confidence and promoting positivity. Even in cancers such as mesothelioma that are caused by environmental toxins there are benefits to exercise attributed to the improved mental and emotional condition of patients who work out. The average mesothelioma life expectancy is only a little over a year but exercise can extend it by up to several years.
Of course, it can be extremely difficult to completely avoid stress. From childhood on, stress is present in nearly everyone’s life. However, as we continue to learn how dangerous it can be, even to children, it becomes more and more crucial that we work at fighting stress the best ways we can. Exercise and positive thinking are clearly are a part of that agenda, and ought to be habits we instill in our children from a young age!
More than ever relaxation and stress management needs to be part of your family health and wellness plan. The Indigo Dreams ® Series of CDs introduces you, your children, and your teens to research-based, stress management techniques.
Krista Peterson is an aspiring writer and recent college graduate from the University of Central Florida. As a Health and Safety Advocate, she shares a passion for the wellness of others within her community. Krista uses her writings to spread awareness of such issues to help encourage others to live the healthiest lifestyles possible. Krista can be reached at [email protected]