Researchers have proved time and time again that stress affects our immune systems.

There are killer stresses that suppress the immune system, and if something comes along in the process, you can become very ill, and perhaps die. Realize this, and you can protect yourself my managing stress.

Facts About Stress and The Immune System

1. Stress has a direct effect on our immune systems.

2. The acute stressors evoke our "fight or flight" response, and our immune system prepares itself for defense. The stressors force chemicals also into our system that boost the power of our immune systems.

3. Those long-term chronic stressors are the killer stressors, and reduce and gradually destroy the effectiveness of our immune systems.

4. The ill or elderly will be more effected by stress than the well or young person, with usually very negative effects.

Categorizing the Stressors

Instant Stressors.

These are the ones that evoke responses from our own self-defense system, and produce quick-acting, all-purpose cells that can attack many pathogens. This kind of stressor for a time boosts our natural immunity

Short-term Anxiety Stressors:

These are the type when going for a job application, performing in public, examinations and the like. These too, if are only short-termed, can boost our natural immunity. However, if these stressors draw themselves out (such a being in a trial or legal event), they will turn into negative stressors and suppress the immune system.

Traumatic Stressful events:

These are the anxiety of impending disaster (natural or economic), or serious illness of a loved one. These stresses greatly reduce one's immune system, and even when the events are over, one can still suffer the effects of post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Killer Stressors. The Chronic Ones:

These are the long-term stressors that make one change their life and life-style. Good examples of these are being a refugee and changing countries forcibly, becoming a care-giver to a love one, or becoming one who needs a care-giver. All of these are stresses without end, and are called killer stressors, as they often result in illness due to the impaired and suppressed immune system.

Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

PTSS acts as real threat to one's immune system. It is in illness in itself, and is based on a distant stressful event that has left the person changed. These people have suppressed immune systems generally.

The major point to remember here is that knowing what the killer stressors can do to our immune system and general health, we must learn then some form of stress management. Having so learned these techniques, we can minimize the negative effects stress can (and does) have on our immune systems.

There are many methods of stress management such as yoga, certain forms of modified martial arts, philosophical systems such as employment of the Konov Principle, and also the well-understood power of prayer, faith and religion. These all serve to limit or modify the effects of killer stressors.