We know that our thoughts can influence our immune system response. In light of the current situation I wanted to share this article.
One psychologist notes, “Fear influences how we react to media coverage of health hazards.” In times of anxiety, we tend to pay more attention to threat-related information, which drives up our anxiety and distress.
This “bias for threat” can exacerbate our reaction to the disease, leading to panic. And panic is “an irrational fear reaction that, by definition, your body’s reaction and adrenaline response take over from your ability to actually rationally evaluate the situation.”
Cortisol and lymphocytes
Responding appropriately to fear is therefore vital not just for our psychological well-being but for our physical health as well.
According to Cleveland Clinic, stress causes our bodies to produce greater levels of the hormone cortisol and can cause anxiety and depression. These can lead to elevated inflammation that can compromise our immune system.
Stress also decreases the body’s lymphocytes—the white blood cells that help fight infection. The lower our lymphocyte level, the more we are at risk for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Since, as one professor notes, “the main way we relate to information about the world is through feelings and gut intuitions,” it is vital that we focus on objective medical advice and practical steps we can take today.
And it is vital that we turn to resources that can provide peace we cannot produce ourselves.
