What is the link between stress and our immune system?
Chronic stress can lead to depression, anxiety, memory problems, and sleep issues. If you already suffer from these difficulties, stress can make them worse. As an example, stress makes it harder for your body to resist germs and viruses because stress weakens the immune system.
Your immune system is composed of your organs, tissues, and cells working together as your body’s natural defense to fight disease and infection. Stress weakens this system because it creates chronic inflammatory conditions. It can affect your emotions, your digestion, your blood sugar levels, even your libido. In fact, stress makes you more vulnerable to infections, and even causes wounds to heal more slowly.
9 Simple Ways to Reduce Stress:
There are so many ways to reduce stress, here are just a few.
- Get a Massage! Massage therapy stimulates the release of endorphins, increases tissue metabolism, and relieves physical pain. Above all, it relaxes the mind and body, and relaxation is the polar opposite of stress. If you cannot get a massage by a therapist or a loved one, don’t fret ;-). Use a tennis ball or a foam roller and roll your aches away. So, breathe deeply into your sensations and let your body melt with every exhale.
- Another way to reduce stress is through energy work because energy healing clears the mind and hushes the brain. It allows the system to reboot. If you cannot get an energy healing session or even a distance healing session, find a few moment throughout your day to reduce stress. Place one hand over your heart and the other just below your belly button and breathe deeply for a few moments. If you can, make it a meditation. This will be a great way to re-center and re-balance using your own energy system.
- Reflexology is one of our most popular treatments. Perhaps this is because it allows you to zone out and find your bliss. This modality really helps pulling you down into your body from an active mind. If you cannot get to the clinic use a tennis ball to roll your sole over. Treat those feet of yours, and the thousands of nerve ending that reside there, with kindness and appreciation. Additionally, an epsom salt soaking will do wonders for achy feet.
- Live as healthy a lifestyle as possible! Eat a balanced diet, get plenty of gentle exercise, sleep enough to let your body rest.
- Spend some time in nature..even gardening counts. 😉
- Make time to spend time with friends or loved ones… zoom and skype are valid options!!
- Laugh More! In fact, one minute of laughing boosts your immune system for 24 hours!
- Use essential oils. These amazing tools can assist you by calming the nervous system, soothing the emotions and ‘taking the edge off’ of once explosive situations to more level headed ones. I have many suggestions of oils and blends that you can use in many ways so please contact me and ask me all about it…I’ll be happy to share!!
- Avoid it! If you can avoid stressful situations, that’s the best. If you cannot avoid them trust it’s in your cards and do the best to deal with them as they come. So, breathe into the feelings that arise…deep breaths..and exhale fully. Know that all is well.
Massage for Stress Relief
In our busy 21st century life, some people have forgotten how to relax. Many of us are unable to rearrange our lifestyles to avoid stress. Getting a massage can help reduce stress in our mind and body. Massage lowers the cortisol levels and decreases the heart rate. Even the Mayo Clinic agrees: massage “is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.”
Don’t forget that kids, especially the active ones, benefit from massage therapy just like Mom and Dad. Some kids experience physical effects of stress, including stomachaches and headaches. Read more about this on our Kids Massage and Healing Session page.
In short, to relieve your stress through massage and holistic healing, book your session today. You can also contact us for more information about the benefits of our massage treatments and other therapies.
Far Infrared Sauna Therapy Increases Cellular Resistance to Stress and Stimulates Immune Response
Saunas and heat therapy have been proven to significantly increase cellular resistance to stress, including viral infections. When our cells are exposed to heat, they increase their levels of proteins called heat shock proteins, which increase cells’ resistance to many types of stressors, including heat, low oxygen, oxidative stress, toxicant exposure, and infections. Heat shock proteins have been shown to have key roles in the immune response and boosting immunity.
Heat shock proteins can also interact directly with viruses and regulate their entry into cells and viral replication. Heat has been shown to have a direct stimulatory effect on immune cells.
Love and Light and Peaceful Heart,
Liraz
Liraz Bergman-Turner is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master & Reflexologist. She is the owner of Heavenly Embrace Wellness, a massage and energy healing practice in Boulder, CO.
Liraz is a gifted healer. Her massage was both strong and gentle, anticipating what was needed for each muscle. Her office is beautiful and relaxing. She has all the amenities for pampering and the strength for deep tissue. I loved the essential oils throughout. Highly recommend!
***Disclaimer***
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website.
