Stress Mind and The Immune System

Research in a new field, called psychoneuroimmunology or PNI, has exciting possibilities for fighting stress and illness. Simply put, studies in the field are showing that our immune system does not operate in a vacuum to keep us healthy. As the term psychoneuroimmunology suggests, the immune system is now known to be regulated in part by our mind.

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn writes in his book, Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, that numerous studies have shown that stressful life experiences can influence immune system activity. One study, involving medical students, found that during end of year examinations natural killer (NK) cell activity and other immune functions were diminished compared to their levels during periods when they did not have examinations. These researchers and others have shown that loneliness, separation and divorce are associated with reduced immune functioning. As we will see later the practice of relaxation techniques can have an enhancing effect on immune system functioning.