COVID-19, low immunity triggered by stress

Covid-19 which started from Wuhan, China is a great concern. The outbreak caused very high number of infections and deaths around the world. Due to this, it had caused many people additional or unnecessary stress and anxiety that lead to many other health related issues.

Let’s address the following questions:

1. Can stress and anxiety be the contributing factors to a person's immunity level?

2. How to overcome this?

Stress and anxiety cause low immunity

The World Health Organization (WHO) research studies have confirmed that anxiety and stress can alter the stomach, pancreas, spleen plus lower the body's immune system. Combined with the current COVID-19 situation, the level of worries it brings can cause a huge concern with regards to a person’s immunity. The other fact is that COVID-19 spreads more easily than MERS and SARS viruses. 

At times, knowing the above can make people very anxious. They would feel that being affected is imminent and it can be fatal (even though the mortality rate is 2.3%), as portrayed by most media. As we speak, scientists around the world are in a race to find the vaccine. However, getting the right one that works and getting the approval for mass use takes time and as it ticks by, more and more people would have succumbed to it.

Other factors that weaken the immune system

Following the news plus certain daily activities can weakening one’s immunity. Contributing factors which are now a common reminder must be taken seriously. Some examples are as follows: 

• Sedentary lifestyles 

• Staying up late

• Unhealthy foods 

• Not eating on time 

• Environmental exposures 

• Social media addiction and more

Steps to take 

Below are precautionary steps that can be taken if immunity is reduced due to anxiety or stress:

• Mindfulness: Be positive, do not worry about being sick, being infected or dying as the everything has not happened yet and probability is low if proper measures are taken. Practicing effective mindfulness method suggested by Arjan Supawan (“Bringing Yourself Home”) can also be helpful.

• Reduce the perception of problematic information. Since the root cause of the problem is due to being overly-concern about COVID-19, the following steps should be taken:

1. Control news feeds (reduce time spent monitoring the COVID)

2. Train your mind to be firm and stable with proper consciousness.

Signs of low immunity 

Some people know and can sense if and when their immunity is low. Some may experience symptoms that indicate low immunity, such as being prone to illnesses (colds, diarrhea and more) or experiencing frequent fatigue. At Absolute Health, we have various forms of innovative diagnostics available to pinpoint the root cause and take necessary measures to relieve any anxiety.

Boosting your own immunity 

Taking care of your own health by:

• Eating foods that are beneficial in strengthening the immune system

• Exercise regularly

• Get enough quality sleep

• Don't drink alcohol, don't smoke

• Always avoid contact with chemicals and pollution

• Protect yourself from the risks of various pathogens (by washing your hands regularly, put on a surgical mask)

• Practicing mindfulness will help make the mind more relax and reduce anxiety

Boosting immunity with the help of Medical Science

Absolute Health Integrative Medicine Center offers a highly customized immune boosting vaccination treatment program called AllergoStop. It is a German innovative treatment method that has been proven to be highly effective in boosting and maintaining an individual’s immune system effectively. In addition, AllergoStop also helps treat allergies plus autoimmune diseases right at the root cause. This is done by taking blood and extracting the allergy markers and then injecting it back into the patient to regenerate the immune system. This treatment can also be highly beneficial for patients with history of allergies, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid disease, spinal issues, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's disease. 

The key to being healthy is to focus on one’s holistic wellbeing. Do NOT let anything negative impact your life and mind which can result to further health problems. Always maintain a good form of health physically, mentally and spiritually so as to be ready to deal with anything that comes your way.

Written by: Dr. Songsaeng Karnchanavisitphol (MD)

• Master of German Traditional Medicine 

• Integrative medicine and Anti-aging medicine Specialist