Stress is natural in trying to overcome challenges, but when it becomes chronic, it can be destructive for your body in many ways. One of the most vulnerable areas is your immune system. According to Brian Clement Hippocrates Wellness, prolonged stress weakens the body’s defense system, and it becomes hard to resist diseases. Your immune system is like a shield guarding you against bacteria, viruses, and other invaders. However, stress changes how the protective shield functions, increasing susceptibility to diseases in the body. When your body is stressed, it produces a type of hormone known as cortisol.
While cortisol promotes less inflammation and aids in recovery from the threat within minute amounts, prolonged cases of stress keep cortisol high levels for an extended time and disrupt the balance within your immune system. It reduces the production of your white blood cells, an essential part of your fight against infections, and also weakens your body’s repair mechanism. All this translates to constant strain on your immune system, leading, over time, to dire health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and possibly even cancer.