I like this definition I found for stress: your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand, caused by good or bad experiences.
When people feel stressed, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. Your system prompts your adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, to release a surge of hormones. Some of these hormones can include adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies.
Chronic stress can put our health at risk including increasing asthma attacks, obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems and lowered immunity.
Lets look further into how our immune system is affected. As the body remains under stress, the immune system is affected at a cellular level with a decreased number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) able to fight off an invasion of toxic substances (antigens). White blood cells are put into motion to recognize antigens, produce antibodies, and destroy cells that could cause damage.
THUMP YOUR THYMUS
Your thymus processes T cells to fight infections. The production of these cells declines with age. We can stimulate production of T cells with a simple exercise. Gently tap approximately 3 inches below the sternum along the center of the chest.
Quote of the Day:
“Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are.” – Chinese proverb