Myth:

A belief that human immunity takes a toll primarily because of wrong eating habits, medical conditions, seasonal changes, and age-related decrements

Fact:

Though the above reasons are a few of the prima facie reasons for weak immunity, the primary reason is very deep in nature. Poor immunity is predominantly caused by Psychoneuroimmunology a.k.a. PNI (PNI is the interaction between a person’s psychological process and the nervous & immune system). Medical science has substantiated that more than 90% of the chronic illness is due to the disorder that affects both mind and body. These are also called psychosomatic diseases.

How our body reacts to our mind:

Anxiety, stress, and environmental uncertainties play a vital role in altering our thought process. When we are in a negative zone, our pituitary gland releases chemical like Cortisol and Adrenaline that makes us go in “Fight or flight” mode, thereby affecting our immunity over a period of time. Thus, besides psychological characteristics, emotions, coping styles, and behaviors also play a role in affecting our immunity.

Few common examples of psychosomatic diseases: infectious disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, HIV, thyroid, blood pressure, diabetes, indigestion, allergy, and asthma

Stressors in our daily life:

• Work-life imbalance
• Emotional dependency (such as expectations) on others, not being met
• The vulnerability that craves to seek approval from others including family, relatives, friends, boss, children, etc…
• Family, peer, and societal pressure
• Environment and poorer personal relationships
• Social stigma
• Sedentary lifestyle