Why good mental health is vital for your immune system, how the body and the mind affect each other, and how to improve your energy
- The coronavirus pandemic is causing us to think about our immune systems, but few consider the deep mind-body connection
- Poor mental health and stress negatively affect the immune system, while meditation and mindfulness can strengthen it
The coronavirus pandemic has underscored the importance of having a strong immune system. For many of us, building up the body’s defence against disease-causing bacteria and viruses means eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, exercising well and not smoking. But there’s another critical factor – mental health.
The mind-body connection is well established. Research over the past 20 years has shown how stress negatively affects the functioning of white blood cells. What’s more, vaccination is less effective and wounds heal less readily in those who are stressed.
The mind-body connection means that thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can positively or negatively affect our biological functioning. Simply put, our mind can affect our body.
“Our thoughts are linked to how we feel emotionally and physically. If we have anxious or catastrophic thoughts, we may have sleeping difficulties or a lack of energy. The mind and body are well linked,” says Reidy.