Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and encompasses many types of activities and sports. In addition to the visible benefits of exercise, such as physical fitness, the internal workings of the body benefit from exercise as well. Regular, moderate exercise can help strengthen the immune system by reducing stress and depression and improving circulation and effectiveness of the immune system cells that find and destroy pathogens.
Stress Reducer
When people live daily with what they perceive as chronic emotional stress, the body releases hormones such as cortisol in response to that stress. Those hormones can impair normal immune system functions and increase the risk of becoming ill. Exercise can help slow down the release of stress hormones.
Decreases Depression
People who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders release elevated levels of stress hormones that weaken the normal activity of the immune system. Exercise can decrease the levels of stress hormones released by the body, thereby boosting immune system activity. In addition, regular exercise, especially outdoors on a sunny day, can improve mood and one's sense of well-being. Practicing yoga can also boost the immune system and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.
Improves Circulation
Regular daily exercise improves blood flow and circulation throughout the body. This improved circulation helps the cells of the immune system travel throughout the body to areas where they are needed. This might help increase both the strength and the efficiency of the immune system, as antibodies and white blood cells can respond faster to threats such as viruses and bacteria that can cause illnesses.
Increases Temperature
During and after exercise, the body's temperature increases, which is similar to the fever that results during a viral or bacterial illness. According to the National Library of Medicine website, this temporary increase in temperature can slow down bacterial growth, which allows the immune system more time to respond to the infection. In addition, the increased body temperature allows the immune system to fight off any infections more effectively, explains the website.
Removes Airborne Dangers
Respiratory rates and sweating and urinary output increase as a result of exercise. The increased rate of respiration helps the lungs rid themselves of airborne bacteria and viruses that can cause infection and might increase activity in the immune system cells that seek and destroy viruses, explains the National Library of Medicine website. The increased sweating and urinary output also help the body get rid of airborne dangers such as viruses and carcinogens. In addition, exercise can reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in people who were already ill.
References
- ABC News Health: Depression Risk Factors; David Brendel, M.D.
- MayoClinic.com: Seasonal Affective Disorder
- National Library of Medicine: Exercise and Immunity
- Bloomberg Businessweek.com: Exercise May Help Beat the Common Cold; Steven Reinberg; Nov. 2010
- Harvard Health Publications: How to Boost Your Immune System
